IAN Stowe must have thought he was one of the unluckiest cricketers around when he was dismissed in freak circumstances during Evesham Seconds' 179-run Birmingham League division three win over Newport.

Batting at number three, the 32-year-old had already smashed his way to 56 when his partner hit a straight drive back down the wicket.

The ball hit Stowe's foot, ricocheted onto the unwitting bowler's hand and cannoned onto the stumps to leave the batsman stranded out of his ground.

Evesham went on to post 264-9 with Alex Harrison adding an unbeaten 61, but Stowe, who bowls left-arm in-swingers, still had a huge part to play in the game.

Opening the attack in the absence of a few of the regular bowlers, the medium-pacer produced a devastating spell of bowling, moving the ball in both directions to claim 9-33 as Newport were all out for just 85. Stowe, a builder from Fourpools in Evesham, said: "I've had a fair few six-wicket hauls in the past but I have never got nine before.

"Even though I had to buy a jug of beer afterwards, I was absolutely delighted!

"The game started quite tightly with our batsmen being tied down a bit because Newport had a couple of left-armers opening the bowling.

"However, when I came in I found it quite easy going because that is what I bowl.

"They were bowling a couple of good balls an over, but it was just a case of picking the bad balls and putting them away.

"It is such a great pitch at Evesham and the outfield is really fast. If you put a drive into the gaps it races away for four.

"The conditions were really good for my bowling -- humid and overcast -- and the ball was swinging a lot in both directions.

"My first two wickets were from quite wide balls that their openers chased and hit to cover.

"But I also bowled three batsmen and got an lbw with in-swinging yorkers, which I was pleased with.

"Usually, I play in the first team, but because of work commitments I have missed a few Saturdays this season so they wanted me to play a couple of games in the seconds -- I expect to get back into the firsts after this though!"

Stowe's all-round efforts have scooped him our cricketer of the week award and he has won a £30 voucher to spend at the Fearnley Factory Shop.