Head coach Chris Milward says Staffordshire must play the long game to get their NCCA Championship campaign back on track.
Staffs were heavily beaten by 187 runs in their Division One East opener against Buckinghamshire at Chesham.
And that’s left them with three matches to redress the balance if they are to mount a challenge for the divisional crown.
That run starts on Sunday when they entertain Cambridgeshire at Checkley (11am).
And Milward says he’s confident there will be a marked improvement in certain areas over the course of the three days at Four Trees.
‘Key time’
“We knew Buckinghamshire was a massive game in the context of the group,” said Milward.
“I was pleased with how we bowled and our approach in the field. We just didn’t bat for long enough in both of our innings.
“The game got away from us on Sunday evening. Take nothing away from Bucks, they are an excellent side and played really well.
“I talk a lot about process and maybe we didn’t play the situation as well as we could have done with the bat.
“We spoke about the importance of not letting their bowlers settle – getting them into second and third spells and tiring them out.
James Kettleborough pinpoints key areas as Staffs look to bounce back
“We didn’t manage to occupy the crease and in hindsight we’d have played that particular situation differently.
“I wasn’t angry at the end, I just shared the disappointment of the players.
“The way we bowled, we stuck to the task in the field. Everyone kept running in and kept going, even when we were behind the game.”
Staffordshire had performed well with the ball on the opening day against Buckinghamshire.
After losing the toss, they dismissed the home side for 211, but then stumbled to 44-5 in reply.
Dan Lincoln and Joe Hawkins prevented any further damage that evening as Staffs closed on 95-5.
But they were bowled out for 143 on day two, before Buckinghamshire piled up the runs to set the visitors 385 for victory.
However, by mid-afternoon on the third day it was all over as Staffs were all out for 197.
‘Backing’
That leaves Staffordshire needing to win at least two, if not all three, of their remaining Championship matches to have a shot at the title.
Milward, though, believes his players have what it takes to deliver a response.
“Bucks was never going to be an easy game, but I don’t think that it decides the group,” he added.
“We’ve lost the first game, but we have a track record of bouncing back – we had to win the last three Trophy games to progress.
“I know it’s a different format, but there’s no reason why we can’t use that to our advantage, it’s a similar situation.
Jake Garlick looking to seize his chance on the pro circuit
“Hopefully there will be learnings taken by the players ahead of Sunday.
“We’ve got to take care of business by playing some really good cricket.
“There’s some very good cricketers in the Cambridgeshire side, so we know we need toe be at our best.
“I’m confident we can bounce back – and it’s safe to say that the players will have a point to prove.
“Fundamentally, we’ve got to bat better for longer. It’s about nailing your skills for a sustained period.”
‘Team changes’
Staffordshire have made two changes to their side for this weekend’s encounter.
Callum Hawkins, who made ducks in both innings at Chesham, is replaced by Tom Moulton.
And with Jake Garlick having joined Warwickshire on a short-term deal for the Metro Bank 50-over competition, Sam Atkinson comes into the line-up.
“Callum loves playing for Staffordshire and he’s got a great cricket brain,” explained Milward.
“He’s just going through a period where things are not going for him, but he’ll get through it.
“Sam comes in for Garlo. I’m so pleased for Jake and proud of him. He deserves his chance with Warwickshire.
“Sam gets his opportunity having been in and out of the side. He’s done some great things, though, and we know what he’ll bring.
“It’s great that we’re able to bring in two players who have a track record in NCCA cricket.”
‘Tough challenge’
Staffordshire drew with Cambridgeshire in last season’s final match at Peterborough.
Staffs were just one wicket away from victory which would secured the Division One East title.
And Cambs arrive in these parts in good form in the long format, having not lost a Championship game since August 2023.
Milward says, with the team changes, there will be some subtle tweaks to the batting order.
“We will have a rejig in terms of the order,” he revealed.
Day Three report: Staffordshire are heavily beaten by Bucks
“There’s that balance between players batting where they are happy and also how they can help the team.
“We know it’s going to be a tough three days. Cambridgeshire are a good side and we had a great game of cricket against them last summer.
“We’ve just got to do the good things we did against Bucks for a longer period of time.
“The wicket at Checkley will be different to what we played on at Chesham.
“We’re going to have to work really hard to get 20 wickets, but we also need to bat for longer.”
‘Fixture schedule’
After this encounter, Staffordshire’s final two Championship games see them take on Northumberland at
South Northumberland before hosting Suffolk at Stafford.
That Suffolk encounter will also incorporate the county’s former players day.
This is being staged on Sunday, August 23 and all former Staffordshire players – whether they played once or 100 times for the county in any format – are invited to attend the event at Stafford’s Riverway headquarters.
Meanwhile, Checkley have announced a key change to parking arrangements for the three-day match.
The club car park for the game will be for players, officials, umpires and blue badge holders only.
The overflow car park is now on the opposite side of the road to the club, on the left-hand side as you approach the club from Tean, adjacent to the 30 mph speed limit sign.
If approaching from the Uttoxeter direction, the overflow car park is on the right hand side, entrance approximately 100 metres past the club. The entrance is signposted from both directions.
Main image: Staffordshire head coach Chris Milward is looking for a response from his players when they take on Cambridgeshire. Picture: David Peters