Staffordshire suffered two defeats in their NCCA Showcase Twenty20 matches against Leicestershire.
Staffs fell to a seven-wicket loss in the opening clash of the day before being thrashed by 250 runs in the second encounter at the Uptonsteel County Ground.
Staffordshire were missing several first-team regulars due to work commitments, but that did allow head coach Andy Carr to cast his eye over squad players and those emerging from the development set-up.
‘Solid start’
Leicestershire won the toss and opted to field in the opening match of the day.
And Staffs made a flying start to their innings as Warwickshire left-hander Isaac Mohammed took the attack to the Leicestershire bowlers.
He launched three sixes in an impressive 37 which featured one sumptuous maximum off paceman Logan Van Beek which sailed over mid-wicket.
Opening partner Ethan Berlusconi chipped in with 34, but Mohammed’s departure in the fifth over enabled Leicestershire to apply the brakes.
Staffordshire lost regular wickets to fall from 47-0 to 74-5 to put paid to their chances of setting a truly competitive score.
Sam Atkinson made 16 and there was 10 apiece from Callum Hawkins and Jack Redman, but Staffordshire were restricted to 126-8 from their 20 overs.
Van Beek picked up a couple of wickets, but it was spin which did the most damage.
England spinner Rehan Ahmed took two scalps, while slow left-armer Liam Trevaskis finished with 3-14.
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Rishi Patel slammed the first ball of the hosts’ run chase for six, but departed to the second when he sent a Matthew Morris delivery to Jacob Garlick in the deep.
Morris struck again to dismiss Louis Kimber for 15 and Ed Batchelor accounted for Lewis Hill (16).
However, Sol Budinger blasted an unbeaten 66, from 34 balls, including six fours and three sixes, as Leicestershire cruised over the line with eight overs to spare.
‘Total dominance’
If the morning game had been a lesson for Staffordshire – the second was a full blown lecture in how to play T20 cricket.
Leicestershire took first use and powered their way to a mammoth 300-7 from their allocation as they flayed the Staffs attack to all parts.
Patel required just 40 balls to make 96, which featured six fours and nine sixes, while Budinger added 60 off a mere 20 balls. He plundered seven fours and four maximums.
Kimber (45), Ben Mike (29) and Van Beek (24) kept the scoreboard ticking over, while Jack Redman and Sam Atkinson both took two wickets.
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Staffordshire crumbled to 12-5 in their reply and were eventually bowled out for 50.
Redman (12) was the only batsman to reach double figures as Sam Wood (4-11) and Romain Walker (3-14) ripped through their line-up.
Staffordshire now turn their attention back to NCCA Knockout Trophy matters on Sunday when they head to Shifnal to play Shropshire.
Main image: Staffordshire head coach Andy Carr saw his side lose both Twenty20 matches to Leicestershire. Picture: David Peters