Staffordshire put in a spirited display, but Leicestershire proved to be too strong in their ‘Showcase’ game at Knypersley.
It was a case of third time lucky playing the match after the past two years saw the fixture called off because of the coronavirus pandemic.
So it was perhaps cruelly fitting that the weather added a further delay to proceedings as players and spectators congregated at Tunstall Road today.
But the Knypersley groundstaff worked tirelessly to clear covers, mop up and get the venue ready for a 2.20pm start and a 29 overs per side clash.
As it was, Leicestershire didn’t have too many concerns in knocking off their target of 180 as they won by four wickets, with eight balls remaining, to put the finishing touches to their preparations for the Royal London 50-over competition which starts this week.
They would have wanted the contest to be the maximum number of overs – but the elements put paid to that – although they will be pleased that they managed to avoid what could have been a banana skin on their visit to Staffordshire.
Staffs, in truth, missed some experienced performers, with the likes of Peter Wilshaw, Paul Byrne and Tim Maxfield all out of the side for various reasons.
It did, at least, allow them to look at how their younger players handled such an occasion – including 21-year-old former Derbyshire batsman Nils Priestley, who was handed his debut.
Staffordshire’s players, especially those with aspirations to make it in the professional game, were given an insight in to what it takes to perform at first-class level.
Main picture: Jack Redman picks up runs for Staffordshire against Leicestershire.
