Andy Carr’s two seasons as Staffordshire’s head coach have been littered with success.
Since taking the reins ahead of the 2023 campaign, Carr and his players have won the Twenty20 Cup for the first time and, last summer, clinched the Division One East title and shared the overall Championship crown with Berkshire.
But while Carr might be subject to envious glances from other coaches, he’s casting his own in one particular format.
Staffordshire have failed to progress from their Knockout Trophy group in the two summers in which Carr and skipper James Kettleborough have been guiding the county ship.
So while all three formats are important to Carr, the Staffordshire head coach has an extra incentive to try to crack matters in the 50-over competition.
That’s at the forefront of his mind as Staffs commence their Knockout Trophy season with a double header over the Bank Holiday weekend.
They entertain Herefordshire at West Bromwich Dartmouth on Sunday, before welcoming Suffolk to Bignall End on Monday (both 11am).
‘Trophy mission’
“It would be nice to get the 50-over trophy in the cabinet,” admitted Carr. “We’ve got something to prove in this format, I feel.
“The players would deserve it and so do the spectators who follow us around. Hopefully it’s an area where we can have a different outcome this season.
“We want to get off to a good start, but if we don’t, we can regroup and go again on Monday. But I have full confidence in the lads.
“They have worked really hard over the winter and have focused on the 50-over stuff. We’ve come up with new plans and ideas.
“We’re hoping that will work, but it’s now down to the lads.
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“But I’m confident that they’ll come out of the winter programme and blossom.”
Staffs actually opened up last summer’s 50-over schedule with a near-perfect performance in winning at Suffolk.
However, that was followed by a downturn in fortunes as they ultimately failed to clinch one of the two qualification places.
Carr says that work in the close season has been about providing more ‘clarity’ ahead of the upcoming challenges.
‘Intense preparation’
“Suffolk last year was a blueprint, but we don’t want to talk too heavily about that because every game is different,” added Carr.
“We just need to have a clear idea about the games. In previous years we’ve been prolific in T20 stuff and that competition was first and the framework isn’t designed for 50-over games.
“But with it being the first block this year that gives us a new mindset. We have different ideas and plans and a lot of it has been around communication.
Staffordshire name squads for NCCA Knockout Trophy double header
“It’s about assessing the situation. The lads are full of talent and I’ve got every confidence that they can go out and perform.
“We want them to be themselves and flourish, but it’s just about having a bit more clarity.”
‘Chance to take stock’
Staffordshire sat out the opening weekend of fixtures in Group Two, in which Suffolk thrashed Norfolk and Shropshire beat Herefordshire.
Carr says that places a touch more emphasis on the double header – but he sees the benefits of his players having more time with their clubs to hone their skills.
“It’s been tough in the past to play T20 first because you have to go hard from ball one. And the pitches at this time of year aren’t always conducive to that,” explained Carr.
“But the lads have pretty much been playing this format for their clubs in the first couple of weekends, so hopefully that helps them with the mindset going into these two matches.
“We’ve got to use the first two games with home advantage. If we can come up with two wins that would set us up really nicely and put us in a position where we’re putting the pressure on the opposition.”
‘Banks boost’
Staffordshire are able to call on Hem Heath all-rounder Liam Banks for Sunday’s encounter against Herefordshire.
There are a few changes for Monday’s clash, but Carr insists that highlights the depth of talent at his disposal.
“The team is up there with the best we can select. Having Banksy is a boost,” said Carr.
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“He’s a terrific lad and unbelievable player. He gives us three good options, Why wouldn’t you have him in the side when he’s available? He’s a match-winner and we want him in the team.
“We’ve got a few changes for Monday, but the development side have done really well and it just highlights the conveyor belt of talent we have coming through.
“In the past we might have been scrambling around for players, but now it’s a case of who can we can slot it. The competition for places is amazing.”
Image: Staffordshire head coach Andy Carr is looking for an upturn in fortunes in the NCCA Knockout Trophy. Picture: Pete Stonier