THERE was a sense of inevitability about evergreen Martin Mudway’s eight-wicket haul for Malvern Seconds in their Crusader Worcestershire League Division Two clash with Bewdley.

Although it is a rare feat for a bowler to take eight wickets in an innings, the 62-year-old right-arm medium-pacer was not too surprised by his efforts in his side’s six-wicket success.

In fact, the Worcestershire Over 50s and 60s stalwart admitted he felt he was due another eight-wicket haul.

“I tend to get eight wickets in an innings every decade,” Mudway explained. “I took 8-18 for Malvern in 1988, then 8-37 for The Fossils in 1997 and now I’ve taken this one, so it was about time I had another one!”

The veteran wicket-taker has been chosen as our cricketer of the week and scooped a £30 voucher from the Fearnley Factory Shop in Sherriff Street, Worcester, for his efforts.

He added: “We won the toss and put Bewdley into bat.

“They are a strong side and got away to a good start but we bowled them all out for 174 in 40.4 overs.

“We were very happy with that because the last time we played them, they scored 301-1.

“I didn’t come on to bowl until the 14th over because we like to let our young bowlers open and have their six-over spells first.

“When I came on, I bowled eight overs in my first spell and I took four wickets.

“I then came on for a second spell a bit later on and got four more wickets in four overs.

“I finished with figures of 12 overs, two maidens, 8-34 and, on three occasions, I took two wickets in two balls but couldn’t quite get a hat-trick.

“In our reply, Andy Cullen batted superbly for his 61 as we reached our target for the loss of four wickets.

“In fact, Andy was influential in a couple of my wickets by taking two fine catches.

“We set the trap with fielders out in the deep and the Bewdley batsmen kept picking them out when I floated the ball up.”

Mudway has been playing for Malvern for 23 years but admits he enjoys the game more than ever these days. He added: “Now I have retired, cricket really is my passion and I play as much as I can.

“I played five days in a row over the bank holiday weekend.

“As well as playing for Malvern, I play for Worcestershire Over 60s and the Fossils.

“I also turn out for the county over 50s too if they are short of players.

“I feel it is sad when good cricketers get to 40-odd and stop playing.

“Hopefully, I prove that you can still play on longer and give something back to the youngsters in the team.

“Since joining Malvern in 1985, it has been great to see good cricketers come up through the ranks to do well for the first team and then go on to play in the Birmingham League.”