ANDREW Van Vuren prefers batting but his bowling exploits have earned him the Evening News/Fearnley Factory Shop Cricketer of the Week award.

The 38-year-old's 7-68 helped his Droitwich side defeat Netherton by three wickets -- no mean feat for a man who has undergone nine knee operations -- the legacy of a football career.

Van Vuren also weighed in with a useful 64 as Droitwich rattled off the 198 runs for victory in Division One of the Crusader Worcestershire League.

"I've bowled a lot better and got a lot less wickets but that's the way it goes," said the South African of his seven-wicket haul.

"I bat six and take the new ball but I enjoy batting more than the bowling."

Van Vuren was a policeman in his home country but seven years ago, while playing in the World Police Championships in Barbados, he befriended officers from the West Mercia force and after hearing glowing reports on the county decided to up sticks and move.

He arrived with eight suitcases but has built a new life. However while loving England, he admits the cricket in his adopted country is a different ball game.

"It's a bit of a culture shock. In South African we use to train three times a week and then play at weekends. It was a hard standard of cricket with a lot of provincial cricketers.

"Coming here, it is different. They don't tend to take it so seriously with the training but I'm slowly getting used to it."

Winner of the batting award is Jon Riches whose 117 for Chaddesley Corbett in their Division One Bank Holiday Monday clash against Netherton.

The innings came as a welcome relief for the 23-year-old who made a duck in the team's previous match.

Riches savoured every ball of his century, not least because it was a rare chance to play on a proper wicket.

He works in Paris for a computer software company and was only in the country for a flying visit on a training course.

Back in Paris, Riches plays in a league organised by the Standard Athletich Club.

"We play on proper pitches but with matting," he said.

"I went out there in October and was surprised to find this club existed but it's a good thing if you're mad on your cricket."

Both players win £30 vouchers to be spent at the Fearnley Factory Shop cricket equipment specialists.

Reports must reach us by 12noon on Tuesday to be considered for that week's award.