Assistant coach Chris Milward says Staffordshire can’t afford to take their eye off the ball – despite taking a big step towards NCCA Twenty20 Cup qualification.
Staffordshire won both games in their double header against Cheshire at Nantwich on Sunday to move to the top of Group One.
The top three sides from each group qualify for the Super 12s section of the competition later in the summer.
But Milward insists Staffs can’t let up as they look to make it through to the next stage of the cup, which they won in 2023 and reached finals day last summer.
Staffordshire sit out the next round of group games, but wind up their commitments on July 6 when they entertain Cumbria at Wolverhampton.
‘Strong finish’
“There’s plenty of permutations. I think if we win one of the two matches against Cumbria we are through, but obviously we want to win both of them,” said Milward.
“The team talk before the game at Cheshire was about backing our skills and we felt that two wins were possible. Take nothing away from Cheshire because they are a good side, but we knew if we played our best game we’d give ourselves the best possible chance.
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“It was a good day all round. We’ve got a bit of a break now – I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or whether it would be better to carry on the momentum.
“But we know we’ve got a strong group. We’ve had a few ups and downs, but we’ve stuck together and we’re on a positive trajectory once again.
“There is still work to do – there’s always room for improvement – and we can’t rest on our laurels.
“However, we know if we execute our skills we can be a match for anyone.”
‘Quick starts’
Staffordshire opted to field in the first game and saw Cheshire post 196-7 from their 20 overs on the back of half-centuries from Kevin Carroll and George Lavelle. Rory Haydon took four wickets.
Staffs openers Nils Priestley, who hit 50s in both matches, and Liam Banks gave the visitors a flying start to the chase and at the halfway point, James Kettleborough’s men were 132-4.
There was a middle-order wobble, but Matthew Morris stayed resolute to make 52 not out to see Staffordshire to a three-wicket win with three balls to spare.
Staffordshire’s bowlers then performed superbly to limit Cheshire to 128-9 in game two, before romping to a seven-wicket triumph with more than eight overs in the bank.
“They were two quite different games but I’ve only got positives to say,” added Milward.
“Before the first game it was a little bit of an unknown. It’s small at Nantwich, but it’s a great place to play.
‘Tough choice’
“We weren’t sure at the toss, but backed ourselves to chase any sort of score – it’s the sort of ground where it can disappear quickly in T20s.
“The bowlers acquitted themselves well. The spinners bowled at the right pace and the seamers hit their lengths. We felt that 197 was gettable and we had a great start through Banko and Nils in both games.
“Credit to Cheshire, though, because they fought back in the middle overs – and teams are allowed to play well against us.
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“It was different to the first Shropshire game (which Staffs lost by one run at Burslem) in that Matt took responsibility and saw us home. He batted beautifully.
“The second game, the seamers hit that hard, back-of-a-length area and we never let Cheshire settle. We then had another great start and that took any doubt away about the outcome.”
‘Squad boost’
Milward also admitted that having head coach Andy Carr at the ground provided Staffs with a huge fillip.
Carr has been absent from matches this summer as he continues his treatment for bowel cancer.
However, he was at Whitehouse Lane to watch his side register their double success.
“Yes, 100 per cent Carri being there helped the group and gave them a boost,” explained Milward.
“Him being there did make a difference with the respect he has and the hard work he puts in to the group.”
Main image: Staffordshire assistant coach Chris Milward says the players won’t rest on their laurels after twin wins against Cheshire in the NCCA Twenty20 Cup. Picture: David Peters