James Kettleborough aiming to finish NCCA season in style

Staffordshire's James Kettleborough bats in the NCCA Championship final

James Kettleborough is looking for his Staffordshire side to put the icing on the cake as they wind up their season this weekend. Staffordshire head to Chester Boughton Hall on Sunday for the rearranged NCCA Twenty20 Cup finals day, which was originally abandoned in May. Oxfordshire and Cumbria compete in the first last-four tie in […]

Staffordshire select squad for NCCA Twenty20 Cup finals day

Staffordshire County Cricket Club all-rounder Nils Priestley

Staffordshire have selected a 12-man squad for this weekend’s NCCA Twenty20 Cup title defence. Staffs won the competition last summer with victory over Cornwall at Tring Park. However, their hopes of an immediate defence were dashed back in May when the rain forced finals day to be abandoned. So Staffordshire return to Chester Boughton Hall […]

Staffordshire’s displays are head coach Andy Carr’s cup of tea

Staffordshire County Cricket Club head coach Andy Carr

Andy Carr loves a good brew. So he would have been more than happy to raise a cup of English breakfast tea or lapsang souchong to mark Staffordshire’s achievements when he returned from West Bromwich Dartmouth this week. The county’s head coach travelled up the M6 on Wednesday night a proud and satisfied leader after […]

‘You won’t see a spell of bowling as fast as that in NCCA cricket’

Staffordshire seamer Liam Hurt

It was on the third afternoon of the NCCA Championship final when a key trait of this emerging Staffordshire team was perfectly highlighted. Staffs had conceded a first-innings lead of 99 to serial winners Berkshire at West Bromwich Dartmouth to leave themselves behind the game. Some sides might have felt sorry for themselves. Others might […]

Day Four report: Staffordshire earn share of NCCA Championship title

Staffordshire and Berkshire shared the NCCA Championship title after the final ended in a draw. Staffs were set an improbable 383 to win from a minimum of 55 overs on the last day at West Bromwich Dartmouth. They were never likely to have a dart at such a steep target and instead focused their energies […]

Day Three report: Staffordshire on the back foot as Berkshire show quality

Staffordshire are gearing themselves up for a final-day fight in the NCCA Championship final after Berkshire seized complete control of the contest. Berkshire had opened up a lead of 267 by the close of day three after reaching 168-2 in their second innings at West Bromwich Dartmouth. They had earlier dismissed Staffordshire for 283 to […]

Day Two report: Staffordshire duo impress, but rain is the real winner

Staffordshire batsman Tom Moulton

Staffordshire captain James Kettleborough and Tom Moulton both compiled half-centuries on a rain-affected second day of the NCCA Championship final against Berkshire. The inclement weather had forced a delayed start at West Bromwich Dartmouth – and returned again shortly after tea to bring an early end to proceedings. In the 46 overs of play possible […]

Day One report: Connell and Lincoln put Berkshire in control on opening day of final

Staffordshire had a tough first day against Berkshire in the NCCA Championship final.

Staffordshire were on the receiving end of contrasting centuries by Johnny Connell and Josh Lincoln as Berkshire seized control of the NCCA Championship final. The showpiece had started so promisingly for Staffs as captain James Kettleborough won the toss, elected to field, and then saw his bowlers reduce Berkshire to 109-5 at West Bromwich Dartmouth. […]

Sam Atkinson wants to be Staffordshire’s all-round star

Sam Atkinson

Sam Atkinson can lay claim to being one of Staffordshire’s surprise packages of the Championship season. The 19-year-old is primarily known as a seamer, but it has been his batting this summer which has caught the eye. There has always been the thought that Atkinson had ability with the bat – and he’s worked hard […]

Staffordshire debut for James Abbotts in NCCA Championship final

James Abbotts

James Abbotts will make his Staffordshire debut in this weekend’s NCCA Championship final against Berkshire. The 19-year-old batsman has been drafted into the Staffs side for the four-day contest at West Bromwich Dartmouth, which starts on Sunday. Abbotts has been in excellent form for Checkley this season since making the winter move from Knypersley. He […]