Cricketer Jack Vickerman had senior batsmen stumped when the nine-year-old was asked to bowl for his village team.

The adults could not believe their eyes when Jack was tossed the ball by his team captain - his father Martin - and asked to bowl in the Darlington and District C Division match.

But the youngster proved he had all the talent needed to perform at senior level as he left the batsmen in a spin.

Jack restricted the batsmen to just nine runs during his bowling spell, but despite his performance, his team from Aldbrough St John 2nd XI lost by 13 runs to Raby Castle 2nd XI.

His teammates from the village of Aldbrough St John, near Darlington, as well as the opposition, were impressed with Jack's senior debut.

Raby Castle secretary Peter Jackson said he could be one of the youngest players to compete at senior level.

He said: "The young lad was bowling on full length pitch and didn't bowl a single wide or no-ball."

Jack, who bowls leg-spin, said it was great to have bowled so well against an adult team.

But he said: "I was really hoping we would win, but it was still quite exciting."