Braintree Cricket Club vice-captain Will Jackson said they are seeing the benefits of having the spin bowling of Barry Stephens available to them on a regular basis.

Stephens picked up his third five-wicket haul of the season in Braintree’s Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division two win against Lakenheath last weekend and has now picked up 21 wickets from just five games at an average of 9.05.

It is clear how important a player he is proving to be and Jackson said the team are pleased Stephens is able to play regularly this year.

He said: “Barry has always been a big player for us in the ten years or so since he has come into the firsts, but he has been able to play each week so far after being able to sort things out with his work.

“You can see the benefits of him being able to play regularly and he’s been brilliant so far this year.”

Braintree now travel to Long Melford today.

Jackson said it may be “touch and go” whether Ford is fit to play, while Dean Bass comes back into contention for the game, but first-team captain Nick Butler is unavailable again.