Staffordshire’s hopes of reaching finals day in the National Counties Cricket Association Twenty20 Cup were ended, despite them claiming two victories against Cumbria today.
Staffs made the long trek to Carlisle knowing they needed to win twice in the double header against the Sausages and hope that Group One leaders Cheshire came a cropper at least once at Northumberland.
That didn’t materialise, however, as although Staffs kept their end of the bargain, Cheshire produced two clinical batting performances to secure the four points on offer in the north east.
Staffordshire were left to rue a second-game defeat by Shropshire last month – when they were well in control of the contest – as a primary reason as to why they won’t be one of the four teams heading to Tring Park for finals day in a fortnight.