Michael Hill says his energy levels are fully stocked as he looks to help Staffordshire’s charge in the NCCA Championship campaign.
Staffs kick off their three-day Division One East commitments with a home game against Lincolnshire at Checkley, starting on Sunday (11am).
And they welcome batsman Hill back into the fold after the 34-year-old sat out the Twenty20 Cup programme.
The stylish left-hander featured in the Knockout Trophy at the start of the season, but opted to take a step back from the short form.
“I took the break to be refreshed,” said Hill, who will captain the side in the absence of skipper James Kettleborough.
“I had a few weeks out last year because of work commitments. Then I came back into the Championship team feeling refreshed and got a hundred at Cleethorpes (against Lincolnshire).
“Now I’m getting into my mid-30s, I know my body a lot better and what is needed – and that was a period of rest, given how condensed the NCCA schedule is.
“We’ve also had two positive years in the T20 stuff and I just felt that the time was right to let the younger guys get a bit more experience and play in that format.”
‘Motivation’
Hill, who plays his club cricket for Wombourne in the South Staffs League, says his time away from the squad provides an extra edge as the red-ball format begins.
For many players, it’s the block of fixtures which get the juices flowing and the competition is seen as the jewel in the crown of the NCCA schedule.
“There’s only so many rounds of bad golf you can have before you realise that there’s life left in the legs to keep playing,” added Hill.
“It’s also good that if I’ve had a bad Saturday, then I can play on a Sunday and rectify that. I love playing for Staffs and enjoy the test of the three-dayers – that’s proper cricket for me and it’s going to be great to be back around the boys.
“It’s a unique experience because you develop friendships and bond with each other during the Championship fixtures because you spend so much time with one another.
“In white-ball cricket, anyone can have a day out and can win a game quickly. But in the multi-day stuff it tests every single facet of your game and you have to play well for nine sessions, rather than just 20 overs.
“Staffs have historically been strong in the Championship format and with the way the local leagues are set up, it lends itself to developing red-ball cricketers.”
‘Helping hand’
Development is still a big motivation for Hill as he prepares for another Championship campaign.
Hill, having had a brief stint with Herefordshire, has been part of the Staffordshire side since 2014 – and the three-day format has provided rich pickings for him.
He’s been a divisional champion three times, won the overall title in maiden summer and shared the accolade last year with Berkshire after a rain-affected final at West Bromwich Dartmouth.
And he also wants his performances to be a source of inspiration to the next crop of county players.
New captain for Staffordshire’s NCCA Championship opener against Lincs
“Last year was a bit of a strange one with there being rain around and it was odd sharing the trophy, although I felt that we didn’t deserve to lose on first innings,” explained Hill.
“We have to keep learning and back last year up. That’s the standard and we need everyone to step up and keep encouraging new leaders.
“There’s a great spirit in the group. Everyone wants to learn and progress and that includes the likes of myself and Ketts (captain James Kettleborough) who are always looking to tinker and improve.
“The younger guys have aspiration of progressing further, but that will only happen if they put in performances for Staffordshire. And if they do, that can only stand us in good stead. But we’ve got to draw a line under what happened last summer and start afresh on Sunday.”
‘Closing in’
Hill heads into this weekend’s match needing 41 runs to reach 4,000 in NCCA Championship cricket.
He says the desire is still there to play his part in Staffordshire’s future.
“I’ve surrendered the white ball, but I will probably keep going in red ball,” he said.
“I’ve not really thought about it too much and will just take it game by game, season by season. I’m fit and healthy and still enjoy the process of putting on the shirt and contributing to Staffs.
“People say they know when the right time is to move on, but I’m certainly not at that stage yet.
“It’s always nice to get landmarks – the older you get the more these type of things are flagged up. It would be a nice little box to tick if I get there. Hopefully that will be in the first game. I just want to keep playing my part and winning games of cricket for Staffordshire.
“I’m helping to teach the youngsters, that’s happened in the last couple of years – I’ve had to as one of the senior players.
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“We have a lot of talented players in the team and I’m always there to help them with advice if they want it. It’s about passing on knowledge and offering support to them.
“I enjoy it and have stepped up into a kind of a leadership role in that Ketts will run ideas past me and vice versa.”
‘Momentum shift’
Staffordshire have endured an up-and-down season so far.
They failed to qualify from their Knockout Trophy group for the third successive season, but have impressed in the T20 Cup.
Staffs won the competition in 2023 and also reached finals day last term.
They have progressed to the Super 12s stage of this year’s T20 programme and will host Norfolk and Herefordshire at Moddershall & Oulton on Sunday, August 3.
For now, though, Hill’s focus is on ensuring that the red-ball commitments start off in the best possible fashion.
“I’m absolutely confident we can have a good three-day season. We are three-day reigning champions after all and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t impress again,” added Hill.
“The guys have come off a great T20 Cup campaign and got confidence back after a tough Knockout Trophy section.
“The momentum is back with the guys and I don’t see why we can’t challenge again. You need a bit of luck with the weather, injuries and availability, but hopefully that all goes in our favour.”
Main image: Michael Hill returns to the Staffordshire side for the NCCA Championship game against Lincolnshire at Checkley. Picture: Roger Byrne.