A CRUCIAL nine-wicket haul has earned Nick Husbands our Evening News/Duncan Fearnley Cricket Sales Ltd. Cricketer of the Week award.

The Bromsgrove pace bowler took 9-73 to help his side to an eight-wicket win at Smethwick in the Birmingham League Division One.

The victory is a vital boost towards Bromsgrove's hopes of avoiding relegation.

And the 32-year-old admitted he was more pleased with the result than his own performance.

He said: "I was pleased with the nine wickets but when we won the game, it really hit home.

"As a bowler you seem to know when it is going to be your day. I just got the ball in the right areas and it all came right for me."

Husbands bowled throughout the innings, delivering 26.2 overs, and took the first five wickets before rounding off with the last four as Smethwick were bowled out for 141.

It was the first time he had ever taken nine wickets in an innings, his previous best of eight being achieved for the Worcestershire U16 side.

Bromsgrove knocked off the runs in 32 overs for only their second league win of the season, and the beer was flowing after the game in celebration.

Husbands, who has spent all his career at the St Godwald's Road club apart from a brief spell with Kidderminster, has only recently returned to the Bromsgrove first team after an elbow injury kept him out for the early part of the season.

He added: "It is only in the last couple of weeks that I have really felt match-fit."

Husbands wins a £30 voucher to be spent at Duncan Fearnley Cricket Sales Ltd. in Sherriff Street, Worcester.

Nominations for the award must be received by 12 noon on Tuesdays.