Nils Priestley back in Staffs squad for Knockout Trophy trip to Dorset

Staffordshire's Nils Priestley on his way to a century against Berkshire.

Nils Priestley returns to the Staffordshire squad for this weekend’s NCCA Knockout Trophy trip to Dorset.

Priestley was forced to withdraw from last weekend’s team which lost to Wiltshire at Smethwick because of injury.

However, he is now back in the travelling party to Bashley. He replaces Scott Winnington in the 12-man squad.

The news is a big boost for Staffs after Priestley’s impact in helping the county to win the National Counties Cricket Association Twenty20 Cup last month.

Priestley was instrumental in Staffordshire’s run to the silverware. That included scoring 147 not out against Berkshire in the finals day semi. He then hit 57 and taking four wickets in the showpiece against Cornwall.

Staffordshire opened their 50-over campaign with victory over Wales at Port Talbot. But they turned in a below-par performance last weekend.

They fell to a seven-wicket defeat and now need to win their last two matches to reach the quarter-finals.

Staffs follow this weekend’s long trek to Dorset with a home clash against Buckinghamshire at Moddershall & Oulton on Sunday, June 18 to wrap up their Group Four commitments.

Staffordshire (from): James Kettleborough (cpt, Checkley), Sam Atkinson (Moddershall & Oulton), Tom Brett (Finedon Dolben), Callum Hawkins (Moddershall & Oulton), Rory Haydon (Kenilworth Wardens), Michael Hill (Meakins), Liam Hurt (Flixton), Callum Leese (Hem Heath), Matthew Morris (Westhoughton), Nils Priestley (Swarkestone), Dan Richardson (Moddershall & Oulton), Peter Wilshaw (Meakins).

Main image: Nils Priestley is back in Staffordshire’s squad for the NCCA Knockout Trophy trip to Dorset. Picture: Alfie Shenton