James Kettleborough says Staffordshire must earn the right to secure another finals day appearance this weekend.
Staffs are looking to book their place in the showpiece of the NCCA Twenty20 Cup for the third successive year when they hit the Super 12s stage tomorrow.
Staffordshire won the competition in 2023 for the first time in their history and also reached finals day last summer, but the weather prevented the occasion from being played on three separate occasions.
However, although they have home advantage at Moddershall & Oulton this season, Norfolk and Herefordshire are travelling to try to prevent Staffs from continuing their fine T20 form.
And skipper Kettleborough insists that Staffordshire have to bring their A game if they want to continue on the trophy trail in this particular format.
“We’ve been building up nicely,” said Kettleborough. “We had to restore a bit of confidence after a disappointing Knockout Trophy campaign, but we’ve managed top do that.
“That culminated in us going to Wolverhampton (to play Cumbria in the final T20 group games), winning the last match and finding out we’d won the group.
Talk time proved to be catalyst for Staffordshire win, admits skipper
“It’s great to have a home draw, but if we don’t execute our skills, like we have done already, then it won’t count for anything.
“Norfolk and Herefordshire have qualified for the Super 12s for a reason – they are both very good sides.
“We’ve already played both this season and managed to beat Herefordshire in the 50-over format. But Norfolk gave us a beating down at their place.
“No-one has a given right to go through, so we know that we’re going to have to play at our best if we want to go any further in the competition.”
‘Summer of success’
Kettleborough is well aware, though, that Staffordshire have the ideal chance to enjoy another successful summer.
They kicked off the defence of their red-ball Division One East title with victory over Lincolnshire at Checkley this week.
The Staffs captain isn’t concerned by the switch in formats, but is rather looking at what the summer may hold for his squad.
“It can be difficult to keep switching between formats, but the lads have the ability to adjust,” added Kettleborough.
“We have a big squad and we’ve always said that it’s not just about what the players do in terms of runs and wickets for the side.
“They can bring value in different ways and it’s full credit to them that they’ve managed to do that.
“We’re hoping to have a brilliant season once again. There’s an opportunity for the next six weeks or so for us to do special things, but we know we have to work hard to achieve that.”
‘Daddy duties’
Staffordshire have named a strong-looking 12-man squad for the Super 12s this weekend.
They are boosted by the return of seamer Rory Haydon, who sat out the Championship victory over Lincs due to his commitments with Derbyshire, where he has signed a contract to cover the Metro Bank competition.
All-rounders Liam Banks and Callum Leese are also included in the party for the weekend matches.
And there’s a return for Kettleborough himself after he missed the three-dayer against Lincolnshire.
Kettleborough sat out the clash at Checkley due to wife Jenny giving birth to their son Ollie in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Day Three report: Matt Morris and Michael Hill lead Staffordshire to victory
The Staffs captain was in residence at Four Trees, though, supporting the squad as they banked a seven-wicket win.
“I can’t say I hated it (being on the sidelines) when the lads perform like that,” he admitted.
“I felt really proud of all of them. Obviously, I was desperate to be out there and playing, but family comes first.
“But I was around the group and it was nice to see them put in the performance that they did.”
‘Running order’
Staffordshire kick off proceedings at Moddershall & Oulton against Norfolk at 10am.
The losers of that match will then play Herefordshire, with the final encounter being the winners of game one taking on Herefordshire.
The winners of the day will then progress to finals day later in the season, along the winners of the other three Super 12s groups.
SUPER 12s SQUADS
Staffordshire (from): James Kettleborough (cpt), Callum Hawkins, Nils Priestley, Matt Morris, Reeve Evitts, Callum Leese, Sam Atkinson, Liam Hurt, Tom Brett, Rory Haydon, Liam Banks, James Abbotts.
Norfolk (from): Sam Arthurton (cpt), Freddie Fairey, Ben Wilcox, Alfie Cooper, Samuel King, Charlie Hood, Arthur Wilcox, Joe Everett, Hamidullah Qadri, Callum Metcalf, Brett Stolworthy, Andy Hanby.
Herefordshire (from): Matt Pardoe (cpt), Sinel Gunarathne, Hasan Mahmood, Taylor Cornall, Ollie Walker, Luke Tulacz, Luke Powell, Ollie Langford, James Rudge, Roshan Venkataraman, Ben Clarke, Ben Clements.
Main image: James Kettleborough returns to captain Staffordshire in the NCCA Twenty20 Cup Super 12s. Picture: David Peters