Barnard’s innings is the difference as Staffordshire lose out to Bears

Staffordshire celebrate taking a Warwickshire wicket in the NCCA Showcase game.

Ed Barnard delivered a first-class lesson to Staffordshire to help Warwickshire to a comfortable victory in the NCCA Showcase Game.

The Bears captain lit up Knypersley’s Tunstall Road ground with a sparkling 143 to set Warwickshire on their way to an imposing 316-7 from their 50 overs in today’s encounter.

Barnard struck 15 fours and seven sixes in his knock to push the game out of Staffordshire’s reach, while Michael Burgess weighed in with 63 to push the visitors beyond the 300-mark.

Staffordshire were never in the hunt to replicate last summer’s Duckworth/Lewis success against Leicestershire as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

However, captain James Kettleborough continued his stunning run of form in these fixtures with 77 to form the backbone of Staffs’ reply.

Kettleborough had previous hit 73 and 192 for Bedfordshire against Northamptonshire and then followed that up with 73 not out for Staffs last year against Leicestershire.

‘Battling effort’

But his latest effort wasn’t enough, and although Staffordshire didn’t disgrace themselves by any stretch, they were bowled out well short on 194.

There were still plenty of positives to take from Staffs’ point of view, though, as they prepare to return to NCCA Championship action this weekend against Lincolnshire at Cleethorpes.

Seamer Sam Atkinson bowled impressively with the new ball, while spinners Tom Brett and Anis Raza were also in decent nick, with the latter taking three wickets.

With a healthy crowd in residence to see if Staffordshire could spring another Showcase Game surprise, it was little wonder that Bears skipper Barnard won the toss and elected to bat.

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The fixture was the final match preparation for Warwickshire’s opening Metro Bank 50-over contest against Essex on Wednesday.

So Barnard and his fellow batsmen would have been keen to spend some time in the middle to hone their skills ahead of the trip south in midweek.

‘Early joy’

It was Staffs who made a handy start, though, when paceman Rory Haydon got one to keep low to Rob Yates and bowled him with just 16 on the board.

Barnard was settling into his stride pretty quickly and he added 46 for the second wicket with former skipper Will Rhodes.

But the latter was sent packing by Atkinson, who rattled the timbers, which was just reward for an impressive spell with the new ball.

Then came a key partnership which enabled Warwickshire to take a firm grip on proceedings.

Barnard was joined in the middle by England Under-19 captain Hamza Shaikh, fresh from scoring a ton in the recent Test match against Sri Lanka.

Warwickshire keep the scoreboard ticking over against Staffordshire.
Warwickshire keep the scoreboard ticking over against Staffordshire. Picture: Pete Stonier

The pair added 107 for the third wicket, with Shaikh happy to play second fiddle to Barnard, who was beginning to find his range.

Barnard mixed elegant strokeplay with some brutal hitting and some top-class improvisation as he put his foot on the accelerator.

He reached his 50 off 64 balls – and then only needed another 27 deliveries to pass three figures.

His alliance with Shaikh came to an end, though, with the score on 169.

Shaikh, having made 24, was caught by Matt Morris off the left-arm spin of Raza to depart.

And Barnard, no doubt eyeing up a double ton, saw his fun ended with the total on 204.

He attempted to take Raza down town, but didn’t quite get hold of his towering strike and was safely pouched by Atkinson at long-on.

Barnard, with full justification, received a fine ovation from the crowd as he made his way up the bank to the dressing room.

‘Battling back’

There were still 17 overs for Warwickshire to bat as Barnard departed – and to Staffordshire’ credit they performed impressively to limit the damage inflicted by the Bears at the business end of their innings.

Burgess was a shining light for Warwickshire in the closing stages as he looked to up the ante.

However, Staffs chipped away with some wickets in the finale, with Brett and Raza (3-71) accounting for Kai Smith and Theo Wylie.

Burgess was trapped lbw by Jacob Garlick, while Jake Lintott made 23 not out at the death for the Bears.

Staffordshire openers Zen Malik and Callum Hawkins needed a good start if Staffordshire were to have any hope of putting some pressure on Warwickshire.

Captain James Kettleborough made 77 in Staffordshire's reply.
Captain James Kettleborough made 77 in Staffordshire’s reply. Picture: Pete Stonier

However, they both departed with 29 on the scoreboard.

Malik was bowled by Oliver Hannon-Dalby for 20, while Hawkins provided keeper Burgess with a catch off a pacy Michael Booth delivery.

That brought Kettleborough and Morris together to forge a stand to repair that early damage.

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They were watchful at first, but had nicely advanced the score to 66 before Morris was bowled by spinner Lintott for 17.

And Staffs were in danger of not reaching a half-decent total when they found themselves 98-5.

‘Pride to play for’

Joe Hawkins slog-swept a Lintott delivery to Shaikh on the deep mid-wicket boundary, before Reeve Evitts was acrobatically caught by Smith – who had taken over from Burgess behind the stumps – off Barnard.

Atkinson (12), Haydon (15) and some late lusty blows from Raza (18) did help Staffordshire to get towards the 200-mark.

But by that stage it was more of a case of whether Kettleborough could achieve another ton against a first-class county, rather than if the hosts could win.

Warwickshire spinner Jake Lintott sends down another delivery.
Warwickshire spinner Jake Lintott sends down another delivery. Picture: Pete Stonier

The Staffs skipper had displayed some elegant strokeplay which had proved why he enjoyed time on the pro circuit with Northants and Glamorgan.

However, having reached 77 – and with six fours and one six to his credit – he was the seventh wicket to fall when he was bowled by Booth.

Staffs had a little bit if late fun, but Warwickshire easily ran through the rest of the home side’s batting to pick up an easy win. Lintott finished with 3-27, while Booth claimed 3-33.

‘Looking forward’

In the end, Staffordshire could have few complaints about the result as Warwickshire displayed plenty of credentials to outline why they are performing at the next level.

Barnard’s innings proved to be the difference between the two sides. But Staffs could be happy with their lot on the day.

There were plenty of learning experiences to take forward into the remainder of the season.

And that starts with Sunday’s seaside trip to Cleethorpes for the second instalment of their NCCA Championship Division One East campaign.

Main image: Staffordshire celebrate taking a Warwickshire wicket in the NCCA Showcase Game. Picture: Pete Stonier