Staffordshire’s three-day encounter against Suffolk is set for a thrilling finish after events elsewhere piqued the interest of both sides for different reasons.
Staffs will head into the final throes of the National Counties Cricket Association Division One East clash at Checkley resuming on 132-6 – leading by 222.
A Staffs win would leave them 11 points clear at the top before keeping their fingers crossed for the right outcome in next weekend’s meeting between Norfolk and Lincs.
Suffolk, meanwhile, realistically need to complete a successful run chase at Four Trees on the final day to ensure they have a chance of avoiding relegation from the top division.
The East Anglians play Bedfordshire in their final match of the league campaign
That’s getting ahead of ourselves, though, and crucially there were three late Staffordshire wickets which put Suffolk in a strong position.
Jack Redman, Peter Wilshaw and Michael Hill all fell in the final half-hour to undo plenty of Staffs’ fine work.
It proved to be a second day of fluctuating fortunes as Suffolk started solidly in the morning session, faltered in the afternoon and then nosed themselves in front in the evening.
Pictured: Staffordshire spinner Paul Byrne celebrates a wicket on the second day against Suffolk at Checkley.
