Michael Hill proved to be Staffordshire’s savour once again on the opening day of their crucial NCCA Championship clash against Cambridgeshire.
The left-hander compiled a brilliant 112 not out to rescue Staffs from a precarious position at Peterborough as they look to keep themselves in the Division One title hunt.
Hill’s 13th Championship ton for the county came at an opportune time as his knock enabled Staffordshire to recover from 98-5 to eventually close on 287-8 from their allotted 90 overs.
The 34-year-old has long been one of Staffs’ most stylish batsmen, but in recent times has had to curb those natural instincts in order to navigate the side through choppy waters in matches.
And he produced another display of careful shot selection and mental fortitude in his 178-ball innings, which included nine fours and three sixes.
The magnitude of the innings will only be truly known in the coming days, but it has at least given Staffs a chance to defend their divisional title.
They went into the match knowing that they needed to beat Cambs and hope that Bucks failed to emerged victorious against Lincolnshire to keep themselves in the frame for top spot.
There was also the other aspect of requiring seven points to mathematically secure top-flight survival – and Hill’s star turn ensured three of those were chalked off.
Cambridgeshire then successfully negotiated a half-an-hour spell at the end of the day to close on 15-0 from eight overs.
‘Two new faces’
Staffordshire’s preparations for the final three-dayer of the campaign were far from ideal, with Jack Redman and Reeve Evitts being forced to pull out of the team on the eve of the fixture.
That meant debuts were handed to young batter Niall McHale and spinner Jack Batchelor, while there was the surprise sight of seeing Pete Wilshaw don the county whites once more.
Wilshaw stepped back from Staffs playing duties at the end of the 2023 season and has taken on a coaching role with the side.
But he was pressed back into action for his 99th Championship appearance with Staffordshire keen to utilise his vast experience in a batting line-up which has shown some fragility at times this summer.
And while the inclusion of Wilshaw rolled back the years, it was his old Meakins team-mate Hill who was once again the glue which held Staffordshire together.
After heavy rain on Saturday, it probably wasn’t a surprise that Cambridgeshire captain Wayne White opted to bowl first after winning the toss.
Run scoring was always going to be a challenge on a wicket which offered some nice assistance to the bowlers – and the morning session was certainly an attritional affair.
‘Proper cricket’
Staffordshire managed to score just 78 runs while losing three wickets in the 36 overs played before lunch.
Staffs had squeezed out 17 runs by the ninth over before opener Matt Morris became the first man to fall when Staffs old boy James Cox breached his defences to bowl him for nine.
And it was 47-2 in the 18th when captain James Kettleborough fell lbw to left-arm seamer Ethan Rice.
McHale, fresh from his ton for the under-18s at Norfolk in the week, toddled out at number four to make his senior Staffordshire bow.
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But he was the third man to go for five when he got himself in something of a tangle trying to paddle sweep slow left-arm Aum Patel and was bowled.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Callum Hawkins, promoted to number three, and Hill managed to see Staffordshire through to the break without further alarm.
The afternoon’s action was delayed by a shower – a common theme as the day unfolded – but it was Cambs who struck the first telling blow on the resumption.
Hawkins, having made 27, looked to sweep Patel, but only managed to balloon the ball into the air and keeper Lee Thomason took a routine catch to leave Staffs 88-4.
Wilshaw emerged from the pavilion to link up with Hill in what was a key passage of play in the context of the match.
However, having made six, Wilshaw was given out lbw to Patel as the visitors slumped to 98-5 to put Cambs – still in the title mix themselves – firmly in control.
‘Rescue act’
At this point, Staffs had also ticked beyond the halfway point of their over allocation to highlight how tough churning out runs was.
But where there’s a Hill there’s a way – and the experienced Wombourne man set about forging a partnership with young all-rounder Sam Atkinson.
They batted sensibly, with the odd attacking shot thrown in for good measure, as Staffs took tea on 154-4.
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However, just two runs had been added in the evening before Atkinson departed for 17 when he temporarily lost his composure and his swipe at a Matt Rees delivery saw him skittled.
Hill was certainly in his bubble, but just needed his team-mates to stick around with him to bolster Staffordshire’s cause.
And he found a couple of willing allies in Liam Hurt and debutant Batchelor, who both made 34.
Hurt was particularly breezy in his innings as part of 47-run alliance before he was dismissed by Patel (4-84) when he chipped a catch to White at mid-off.
And Batchelor was no slouch either, putting on a precious 69 runs with Hill before he perished in the dying embers of the innings.
Another rain delay, with an over to go in Staffs’ innings, left Hill on 98 not out. But on the resumption he picked up the two runs he needed – scampering alongside Tom Brett – to register his maiden Championship century against Cambridgeshire.
For good measure, he then finished off the innings with two big sixes to leave Staffordshire in a much healthier position than they had been shortly after lunch.
‘Riding out the storm’
Cambs openers White and Callum Guest then emerged to take in the final few overs of the day.
And they remained together until stumps were drawn to deny Staffordshire an even better end to the day’s proceedings.
Staffordshire would have dearly loved to have taken a wicket or two before the close, but it wasn’t to be.
However, after being five down with less than 100 runs on the board, they’d have taken the position they find themselves in heading into day two.
It’s been said before. But thank goodness for Michael Hill.
In the division’s other game, Lincolnshire made 308 all out against Bucks at High Wycombe. The home side then closed on 13-0.
Main image: Michael Hill made a crucial century on day one of Staffordshire’s game against Cambridgeshire. Picture: David Peters