As Michael Hill walked back to the dressing room at Stafford, he received an ovation usually reserved for a batsman who has compiled a century.
Hill had made 45 – helping to move Staffordshire to the brink of securing a draw against Suffolk in their final NCCA Championship game of the season – but the applause which greeted him as he wandered across the Riverway outfield was pure appreciation.
This was the end. Hill had decided that this season would be his last representing Staffordshire.
His Staffs career started in 2014 and, although he would have dearly loved to have bowed out in another Championship final, he admits there was an element of relief that the curtain was finally coming down on his NCCA career.
‘The right call’
“It just felt time, but I’ve had a good run out,” said Hill. “Where I’m at in my life now, professionally and personally, it’s not in line with my cricket.
“I’m an all-in sort of guy and I didn’t feel as though I had another full winter schedule in me. I’m disciplined and I didn’t think it was fair if I couldn’t give 100 per cent.
“It’s time to let the youngsters have a go and not have me in the path taking a place. I’ve never played for personal accolades, it’s always been about the team, but now it’s time to pass on the baton.
“It’s not any one reason, but there’s age as well, I’m turning 36 in a few months’ time and I’ve got to look beyond cricket.
“I wanted to go out on a high while I could still do it. I didn’t want to keep putting my name in the mix for selection if I wasn’t performing.
“Stafford was quite emotional, but there was also a bit of relief as well. The management group had known about my intentions for a while, but I got a really nice send off from everyone. There was a bit of sadness that it has come to an end.
“I was hoping to see the job through and bat out for a draw, but that wasn’t meant to be.
“It was nice, though, to make my highest score of the summer for Staffs after going through a bit of a quiet patch. That made me know I’m leaving while still being able to do it.”
‘Key performer’
Hill has been an integral part of Staffordshire’s side since making his debut all those years ago.
His county cap was put away for the final time with 6,193 runs under his belt in all formats, including 13 Championship centuries.
And there was the little matter of 71 wickets with his left-arm seam, which had been put on the back burner in recent campaigns.
Three divisional titles, two overall Championships and a Twenty20 Cup are also on the list of Hill’s achievements representing Staffordshire.
He does, though, have the odd regret about what might have been in his career.
“The debut (title-winning) season was the stand out,” he admitted. “We had a lot of match winners in that side and everyone did something and put their hands up. And to top it off with the overall Championship title was very special.
“Every group has been different and we’ve always had to evolve. I can’t really say one group was more special than any other.
“But a lot of players have become close friends and there’s nothing better than playing with your mates and winning cricket matches.
“We’ve had phenomenal teams over the years and the 2024 side was one of them as well. They’ve been special times.
“The 2015 Trophy finals does eat away at me a little bit. I felt we had enough firepower in the side to beat Herefordshire, but it didn’t happen, unfortunately.
“Looking back, I could have won that game for us and if that had happened a few years later, I believe I might have got us over the line.
“That does grate a bit, it’s like the one that got away.”
‘County memories’
There are plenty of happy memories for Hill to reflect on, however.
And that includes some superb innings which have left Staffordshire supporters purring over the years.
There was also as little bit of history created along the way as Hill became the first Staffordshire batsman to score three successive Championship centuries in 2022.
He pocketed twin tons in a game against Lincolnshire at Cleethorpes, before adding another one in his next innings against Suffolk at Checkley.
“In terms of hundreds, the one I felt the best batting wise was the 152 against Suffolk at Checkley,” explained Hill.
“Me and Zen (Malik) put on a big partnership and it was my third NCCA Championship century in a row. That’s when I felt on top of my game and it’s the innings I remember the most. I was seeing it like a beach ball.
“But another memorable one was the 110 against Bedfordshire at Longton. I went in the night before and we were in a bit of trouble on 60-4. I managed to stay in until the next day and me and Byrney (Paul Byrne) put on a load.”
‘Bowling glory’
It’s not just with the bat that Hill has enjoyed success on Staffordshire duty.
His left-arm pace saw him run through Berkshire in a Trophy tie early in his career, while he pocketed 7-55 against Norfolk in a Championship clash.
“I used to love charging in and letting it go as quickly as I could and making it swing. I did bowl some good spells for Staffordshire,” he said.
“The 5-10 against Berkshire in the Trophy will stay with me forever, where everything just clicked.
“There was also the seven-for at Manor Park against Norfolk where I bowled for an entire session. I was proud of that, I do a lot of work on my fitness so to get through 13 overs in a row was pleasing.
“In recent years, though, the body and mind haven’t been able to let me do that beyond 30.”
‘Exceeding expectations’
Hill has achieved plenty in his county career – and admits when he played his first game, he couldn’t have dreamt about such success.
He’s also believed to be the only Staffordshire batsman – to have played a significant number of innings – to finish with a Championship average above 50.
“The stats I have achieved, I’d have settled for that,” he reasoned. “Luckily I took to NCCA cricket pretty quickly – there wasn’t a settling in period, I felt ready straight away. I’ve just enjoyed it all and the runs and wickets that have come along.
“Winning the 2014 title was special and also winning the T20 Cup in 2023 because that was my first white-ball trophy.
“I liked having pressure on me to perform and that’s something I’m going to miss. When you’re batting against a strong attack and you’ve got to be strong and it’s almost ‘me against another county’.
“I feel lucky to have shared a dressing room with brilliant people It is sad to be leaving because it’s been my life for the past 12 years – I’ve gone all-in playing for Staffordshire.
“It’s time, but I’ll be forever thankful for what Staffs have given me, which are unbelievable memories and lifelong friends.
“You play a team sport to push and try to win trophies. I’ve been fortunate enough to play in some great Staffordshire teams and with some great players.
“We’ve got to finals and won them, so it’s just a big thank you to all of my team-mates and supporters for joining me on the ride.”
‘Legend’
It’s only fitting that the last words should be reserved for two of Hill’s captains.
Paul Goodwin was the county skipper when Hill made his debut back in 2014.
“Hilly. One word – legend! One of Staffordshire’s best ever,” said Goodwin.
“The stats tell you everything. If Staffs were in a hole Hilly would dig you out. Ability like know other to absorb pressure in the toughest of periods and counter late especially in the first innings to take vital batting points and put the opposition on the back foot.
“The 2014 Championship wouldn’t have happened without Michael Hill – a special player and more importantly a special person who let his cricket do the talking.
“It was an absolute privilege to share a field with him. He deserves all the accolades that are coming his way, knowing Hilly he’ll just shrug, say ‘thanks, it’s no big deal and I was doing my job’.”
‘Top team-mate’
Current captain James Kettleborough was previously in the opposition ranks to Hill before moving from Bedfordshire to join Staffordshire.
He added: “I’m in a fairly unique position given that I’ve both played with and against Hilly at NCCA level and undoubtedly can say I have much preferred to play with him.
“Playing against Hilly you always felt like he had the ability to take the game away from you with some of the innings he played and could put any bowler off most lengths as he went about his business. He bowled some lively spells in there too.
“When I made the move to Staffordshire and stepped into my role, having Hilly on board and fully engaged was crucial and one of the big fundamentals behind creating the right environment and finding success.
“Now I’ve been lucky enough to play with Hilly I’ve witnessed how he prepares, trains and just how much it means to him and to have a senior player with both seriously high quality and passion for the county is something I’ve been lucky to have as captain.
“He will be seriously missed as player and a good mate and I have only praise for just how successful a Staffordshire career Hilly has had.”
Main image: Michael Hill has been reflecting on his NCCA career with Staffordshire