Staffordshire will need a huge final-day effort in their quest to keep their hands on the NCCA Championship Division One East title.
Staffs take to the field for the last chapter of the three-dayer against Cambridgeshire at Peterborough with a 20-run lead after closing day two on 68-1.
There are plenty of permutations to throw into the mix – Staffordshire could be bowled out or skipper James Kettleborough may have to chance his arm by setting up a run chase while also giving his bowlers enough time to take 10 Cambridgeshire wickets.
And then there’s the progress of the other encounter between Buckinghamshire and Lincs, which has been heavily affected by the rain.
Bucks are 90-2 in their first innings in reply to Lincolnshire’s 308 all out.
Those two sides are likely to head down the route of an agreed finish with Bucks looking to seal top spot and Lincolnshire fighting relegation.
So it promises to be a day of tension at Peterborough, while also keeping a firm interest on developments at High Wycombe.
The weather, of course, could also play a part in where the divisional crown ends up for the 2025 season.
But if the final day is anything like the second, then it promises to be an enthralling conclusion to Staffs’ three-day campaign.
‘Big stand’
At one stage it appeared as though they might establish a decent first-innings lead after reducing Cambs to 160-6 at lunch in reply to the visitors’ 287-8.
Debutant spinner Jack Batchelor took three wickets in the morning session, with slow left-armer Tom Brett scooping two after Liam Hurt had set the ball rolling.
However, a seventh-wicket stand of 165 between Aum Patel and Ben Saunders turned the tables in the afternoon and left Staffordshire facing a deficit.
Patel made 73 and Saunders top-scored with 90, before Sam Atkinson provided a triple blast to wrap up Cambs’ innings for 335.
Atkinson’s spell was the filip Staffordshire required after struggling in the afternoon to break the Patel and Saunders alliance.
And Cambs’ innings also ended with Staffs skipper Kettleborough taking the gloves for eight overs after wicketkeeper Callum Hawkins was hit in the face by the ball and forced off the field.
Day One report: Where there’s a Hill there’s a way as Michael saves Staffs
Staffordshire managed to wipe out their first-innings arrears, but lost Matt Morris before bad light brought a premature end to the day’s proceedings.
Cambridgeshire had resumed on 15-0 after openers Wayne White and Callum Guest had negotiated a tricky eight-over spell on the first evening.
Runs weren’t an issue in the early part of the day for the home side as they rattled along at five an over – thanks to some sharp running and putting the bad ball away.
‘Success’
Staffs found their breakthrough with the score on 50, in the 15th over, when White was trapped lbw by Hurt for 25.
Kettleborough then turned to spin twins Batchelor and Brett to work in tandem as the morning session progressed.
Batchelor was soon celebrating his maiden NCCA wicket when, with the scoreboard on 81, he accounted for Will Routledge.
Routledge looked to flick a delivery into the leg side, but could only get a leading edge to Hurt at mid-wicket.
Guest and Ben Claydon gradually built a partnership, but in the 45 minutes before the rain forced an early lunch, Staffordshire struck four times.
Guest, having made 48, was pinned lbw by Batchelor, while there was little Claydon (43) could do to prevent a beauty from Brett from bowling him.
And from 143-4, Cambridgeshire fell to 160-6 by the time the players made their way off for lunch.
Alex Peirson (12) was the victim of a superb one-handed diving return catch by Batchelor, before Lee Thomason (4) nicked a Brett delivery to Hurt at second slip.
‘Cambs duo shine’
Staffordshire would have been by far the happier of the two sides at that juncture, but the pendulum of power swing back firmly in Cambs’ favour in the afternoon.
There was a chance or two missed by Staffs, but Patel and Saunders set about their business impressively – with quick running and taking the positive option where possible.
And the two batters were still very much enjoying themselves when Cambridgeshire managed to ease past their rivals’ first-innings score.
Their stand was broken with the score on 325 – and with maximum batting points in the bag – when Patel skied an Atkinson delivery to Hurt lurking in the covers. His knock contained nine boundaries.
And in his next over, Atkinson struck twice when Hurt pouched another catch to dismiss Ethan Rice and James Cox fell lbw.
Staffordshire have to be ready to pounce in title finale, says skipper Kettleborough
It was then left to Hurt to dismiss Saunders to wrap up proceedings, when the Cambs batter, who hit 10 fours and one six, was deceived by a slower ball and presented Michael Hill with a catch.
Atkinson finished with 3-32, while Batchelor’s marathon 27-over effort yielded figures of 3-87.
Staffordshire may well have been pleased that they were only 48 runs behind after battling back through Atkinson – at one point it looked as though Cambs’ lead could have been 75 or above.
‘Work to do’
But there was still plenty to occupy the thoughts of Kettleborough and Morris when they strode out to start Staffordshire’s second innings.
Thankfully, they were still grafting away when they managed to secure parity for their side.
However, having put on 56 for the first wicket, they were parted when Morris (20) had his leg stump knocked back by paceman Rice.
Atkinson, promoted to number three in Hawkins’ injury absence, joined captain Kettleborough – no doubt with instructions to be there at the start of the third morning.
Atkinson played watchfully, as was required, and he was four not out when bad light ended play, with Kettleborough on 39.
There’s just one day left of the Division One East season. Can Staffordshire find a day of magic to ensure they are the ones heading to the Championship final again?
It’s going to take a mammoth effort, but Staffs are still in their fighting to retain their crown. Strap yourselves in.
Main image: Spinner Jack Batchelor took three wickets on the second day against Cambridgeshire at Peterborough. Picture: Andy Dann