The assessment was rendered in response to part-time bowler Stevenson claiming a career-best 5-29 off six overs in Wests’ defeat of North Tamworth at Riverside 2 on Saturday.

With his normally benign off-spinners suddenly destructive, he proved the difference as Wests defended 8-181 off 40 overs – dismissing Norths for 153 in 39 overs and, in the process, reclaiming second spot on the ladder by leapfrogging the Redbacks.

“Harrison Kelly made a bit of a joke, saying I’m a bit of a burglar – he does all the hard work and someone gets all the wickets,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson, who scored 10 batting at No.3, said his deliveries “weren’t hand grenades”. “I had a bit of luck, I’d say.”

In heat that would make a camel wince, Kelly’s eight overs of toil yielded 0-22.

A look at Stevenson’s statistics and Kelly’s “burglar” remark seems apt. According to MyCricket stats on Stevenson dating back to the 2011-12 season (he has played much longer than that), he had taken only five wickets prior to Saturday’s clash. In total, he has bowled 43 overs including 25 overs this season.

He is now ranked seventh on the competition bowling standings, a 16.67 average hitched to his nine scalps this season.

His wickets on Saturday included hanging on to a scorching return catch to remove Norths skipper and danger man Brendan Rixon for 20 as he hit out with Wests well on top.

“It’s one of those chances. When I put my hand up, luckily it stuck,” Stevenson said. “It was a pretty important wicket too.”

Rixon’s departure signalled Norths’ imminent demise, with Stevenson and Daniel Cunningham removing Nathan Clegg (seven) and Lachlan Butler (six) to terminate the Redbacks’ innings. Cunningham claimed 3-23 off seven overs.

He also top-scored with 39. Kelly and Adam McGuirk both scored 24.

Veteran paceman Adam Greentree continued his impressive form, claiming 4-25 off eight overs.

Glenn Lewington (33) top-scored for Norths.