A CAREER-best bowling display from Worcester Dominies all-rounder Steve Miles helped his side to beat both the weather and the opposition.

With many games being washed out on Saturday, Dominies were able to take advantage.

They gained 24 points in this Worcestershire League Division Two encounter, thanks to Miles’ superb 12-over spell which produced figures of 8-34.

The 24-year-old left-arm swing bowler was handed a rare chance to open the bowling and responded with the best figures of his career.

He ensured mid-table Lye were shot out for just 65, allowing Dominies to knock off their target for the loss of just two wickets.

Miles, whose efforts have secured him our cricketer of the week award and the accompanying prize of a £25 voucher for the Fearnley Factory Shop, said: “I have been playing for Dominies since I was nine and this is my best bowling performance – I’ve had six wickets before, but never eight.

“With the bad weather around, we had to get it done pretty quickly and it poured down about 15 minutes after the game finished, so we were a bit lucky to fit the win in.

“The conditions were favourable for swing bowling and there was plenty of movement off the pitch.

“The batsmen maybe tried to play too many shots early on too.”

Captain Jon Hancock, who made an unbeaten 35 in leading his side to victory, added: “With the bad weather around on Saturday, it was going to be difficult to force a result, so it was great for us that Steve got stuck in.

“He is a left-armer and we have used him sparingly this season, often as a death bowler, but, with several people unavailable, he was given the opportunity to open the bowling.

“The conditions favoured him and he got the ball to swing around a great deal, while some of the batsmen played pretty indecisive shots.”

Match-winner Miles said: “This season has been OK from a team point of view – we have had some good results along the way.

“I have not been bowling an awful amount – I’ve been doing better with the bat as I have been opening.

“As far as the rest of this season is concerned, we just want to carry on winning as many games as we can.

“Hopefully, we can push on and challenge for promotion.”