NCCA Championship day one report: Michael Hill creates Staffordshire history against Suffolk

Michael Hill

Michael Hill became the first batsman in Staffordshire’s history to score centuries in three successive innings as the county dominated the opening day of their NCCA Division One East clash against Suffolk.

Hill followed up his twin tons against Lincolnshire at Cleethorpes with a stunning 152 at Checkley today to create history as Suffolk were made to toil in the sweltering heat.

The left-hander’s modus operandi has always been to move through the gears – and he married classy stroke play with some brutal hitting as his masterclass progressed, with 10 fours and 11 sixes littering his knock.

It was his 10th Championship century for Staffs, while the returning Zen Malik compiled his fourth on his way to 145 as he put on a record-breaking third-wicket stand for the county against Suffolk of 253 with Hill.

Their new mark shattered the previous best of 147 between current county chairman Phil Oliver and director of cricket Dave Cartledge at Bury St Edmunds in 1989.

Zen Malik hit a ton on the opening day against Suffolk.
Zen Malik hit a ton on the opening day against Suffolk.

The duo’s exploits helped Staffordshire to end their 90-over allocation on 423-5, before Suffolk reached the close on 43-0 from 19 overs.

The day had started with Tom Moulton, playing on his home ground, reaching his maiden half-century for the county… an excellent achievement which was somewhat overshadowed by events later in the day.

Suffolk arrived in the county having lost their opening two matches and facing a battle to avoid relegation from the top flight just 12 months on from winning the division.

Read the full report

Pictured: Michael Hill made it three successive hundreds for Staffordshire on the opening day of the NCCA Championship game against Suffolk at Checkley.