Staffordshire will host Norfolk and Herefordshire in the Super 12s section of the NCCA Twenty20 Cup.
Staffs will welcome the pair to Moddershall & Oulton on Sunday, August 3 for the next phase of the short format.
James Kettleborough’s side ensured home advantage by winning Group One after the final round of double headers at the weekend.
Staffordshire had started the day in third place in the group and needing just one point to qualify for the Super 12s.
They achieved that by seeing the first match against Cumbria at Wolverhampton abandoned because of the weather.
Staffs then defeated Cumbria by 47 runs in match two and, with Northumberland losing twice to Cheshire, that enabled them to finish in top spot.
On Sunday, Staffordshire were asked to bat by Cumbria in game two, but soon found themselves 52-3 in the eighth over.
However, Reeve Evitts and Kettleborough both compiled half-centuries in an unbroken stand of 129 to guide Staffordshire to 181-3 from their 20 overs.
Staffordshire secure home advantage in Super 12s stage of the NCCA Twenty20 Cup
The stand was Staffordshire’s highest for any wicket in the competition, surpassing the 124 that Nils Priestley and Zen Malik shared for the first wicket in the 2023 semi-final victory over Berkshire.
It was also the highest fourth-wicket partnership in the history of the NCCA Twenty20 Cup.
Evitts, playing on his home ground, finished on 76 not out, with Kettleborough making an unbeaten 61.
Spinners Nils Priestley, Matthew Morris and Tom Brett then took two wickets apiece as Cumbria were limited to 134-8 in reply.
‘Running order’
Norfolk finished as runners-up in Group Two, with Herefordshire clinching third spot in Group Four.
Staffordshire will open up the day’s proceedings at Moddershall & Oulton against Norfolk (10am).
Herefordshire will then take on the losers of the opening game at 1.15pm before playing the winners of match one at 4.30pm.
Two points are awarded for a win and the winners on the day progress to finals day later in August.
If teams are tied on points, run rate will decide who advances.
Staffordshire have never played Herefordshire in the T20 competition, but did beat them in the Knockout Trophy earlier in the campaign.
Lower order helps Development XI to victory over Cumbria
They did travel to face Norfolk in the Super 12s section last season – beating them and Hertfordshire comprehensively to reach finals day.
Staffs won the T20 Cup for the first time in their history in 2023 when they saw off Berkshire in the semi-finals at Tring Park before inching past Cornwall in the final.
Kettleborough’s men also reached finals day last year, but the weather prevented the showpiece from being played on three separate occasions.
Staffordshire head into the Super 12s stage on the back of four successive T20 wins from completed games.
Main image: Staffordshire will play Norfolk and Herefordshire at Moddershall & Oulton in the NCCA Twenty20 Cup Super 12s. Picture: Pete Stonier