Pete Wilshaw wants to see a Staffordshire transfer this weekend.
Staffs switch National Counties Cricket Association formats on Sunday as they kick off their Twenty20 Cup campaign with a double header against Northumberland at Stone SP (11am & 2.30pm).
Staffordshire head into the competition on a high after booking their place in the NV Play Trophy quarter-finals last weekend with victory over Lincolnshire.
That ended a run of three successive years of Staffs failing to qualify for the last eight in the 50-over format.
And assistant coach Wilshaw says it’s now imperative that the county build on their sequence of three successive wins as they head into the T20s.
“It’s a different format, but we can take a lot of positives from the last three weeks into the T20s,” said Wilshaw.
“It’s going to be a tough challenge. We beat Northumberland in the 50-over group game earlier this season, but they managed to pick up a win against us in the T20s last year.
Captain’s county pride after Staffs reach Trophy quarter-finals
“They are a threat and have some match-winners in their side.
“We want to win both matches this weekend, but it’s important we just focus on one game at a time.
“Hopefully, we can keep improving and take our 50-over form into the T20s. We’ve just got to make sure we win game one and then we can focus on trying to do the same in the second fixture.”
‘Recovery mission’
Staffordshire had opened their season with defeat at the hands of Norfolk in the Trophy.
But they recovered superbly to defeat Bedfordshire, Northumberland and Lincolnshire to secure the second qualification spot in Group Two.
That has set up a quarter-final tie against Cumbria at Carlisle on Sunday, June 7.
Wilshaw says the winter work put in by the players, under the tutelage of himself of head coach Chris Milward, has so far paid off.
Dramatic day sees Staffordshire book their place in NCCA NV Play Trophy quarter-finals
“Over the winter we worked on a lot of things on trying to improve our 50-over cricket,” added Wilshaw.
“After the first game, you can start to wonder where we’re going, but three games later we’ve achieved our objective of getting out of the group.
“The players have worked hard over the winter and continue to do so week in, week out. They have been excellent and delivered everything asked of them.”
‘Fresh faces’
Staffs underwent some squad strengthening over the winter as they prepared for the 2026 challenges.
All-rounder Ollie Walker and seamer Sam Keeling-Wright – both Staffordshire players – joined from Herefordshire. And former Berkshire captain Dan Lincoln also linked up with the county.
“The younger players have had another year’s experience,” explained Wilshaw. “And the three new signings have been brilliant. They’ve added that extra bit of quality we’ve probably lacked in certain areas.
“Ollie’s batting and bowling has been superb, while Sam is an exciting young talent.
“Lincs has been there, seen it and done it. He’s just come in and is the type of player we’ve needed.
“He’s also helped me, Milly and Ketts (captain, James Kettleborough) reinforce the messages we’re trying to get across.
“That experience helps, especially when you have someone like Hilly (Michael Hill) who doesn’t play T20s anymore.
“It’s also important to say that Ketts has been outstanding -not only with the bat, but also his attitude and desire to put into practice all the things we’ve spoken about as a group.”
‘Squad changes’
Staffs have made some tweaks to their squad for the opening Twenty20 Cup double header.
Nils Priestley – who is only playing the shortest format this summer – comes into the squad, alongside young all-rounder Niall McHale.
Keeling-Wright also returns after being unavailable for the last two 50-over games.
All-rounder Reeve Evitts and spinner Tom Brett are unable to play.
“If Nils is on it, we’ve got one of the best players in the competition on our hands,” said Wilshaw.
“Niall is a triple threat cricketer. He’s young, exciting and ready to go. He’s done really well for Derbyshire seconds and has dominated Staffordshire age-group cricket – he thoroughly deserves his chance.
“The good thing is that we’ve not made a whole heap of changes. That means the group can stay together and continue to grow.”
Main image: Staffordshire coach Pete Wilshaw is looking for a winning start to the NCCA Twenty20 Cup campaign. Picture: Pete Stonier