Nils Priestley says Staffordshire’s winter recruits have enhanced their quality – but strength on paper has to be translated on to the park.
It’s been a positive start to the NCCA campaign for Staffs, who booked their place in the quarter-finals of the NV Play Trophy last weekend with victory over Lincolnshire.
Attention now turns to the Twenty20 Cup format this weekend, with Staffordshire starting off with a home double header against Northumberland at Stone SP (11am & 2.30pm).
All-rounder Priestley returns to the fold on Sunday after opting to only play in the shortest games this summer.
The T20s have been Priestley’s forte during his Staffordshire career – including a notable 147 not out in the 2023 semi-final against Berkshire at Tring Park as the county went on to win the competition for the first time.
He’s been a ‘marked man’ since that devastating innings, but Priestley insists that opponents now have more players to worry about after fresh faces joined the group.
‘Strong recruitment’
Herefordshire duo Ollie Walker and Sam Keeling-Wright linked up in the close season, while on the eve of the summer action, former Berkshire skipper Dan Lincoln signed for Staffs.
And those signings give Priestley even more confidence that Staffordshire can shine once again in the T20s.
“There have probably been times when other sides have looked at me and thought I’m the one who can take the game away from them,” said Checkley ace Priestley.
“I’ve had a target on my back, but now we have that extra firepower with the bat. That gives me reassurance that I can play my natural game because we have lots of quality coming in behind.
“Lincs (Dan Lincoln) is one of the best NCCA players – alongside Ketts (Staffs captain James Kettleborough) – of his generation.
Coach Wilshaw has Twenty20 vision for Staffordshire
“He’s got so much experience and has won everything that there is to.
“I’ve played alongside Ollie with the Challengers (NCCA representative side) and he’s a quality performer.
“Sam has also been with the Challengers and Lincs has got the best out of him, especially when we’ve all been representing England in the European Championships in Spain.
“These signings demonstrate the strength that Staffs have and we need that if we want to be the ‘powerhouse of the north’ which we should aim to be.
“We have to be looking to dominate not just the T20s, but all competitions.”
‘Differing impacts’
Priestley admits his 147 three years ago announced him on to the National Counties Cricket Association stage.
That remains his only ton in the short format, but he has chalked up six half-centuries along the way at an incredible strike rate.
While some people might expect the sort of fireworks from Priestley which were witnessed on that memorable day at Tring Park, he says he can influence the game in different ways.
“The T20s are the format which I’ve had the most success in and kind of put me on the map,” explained Priestley.
“It gave me the chance to play for England in the T10s in Spain and just try and hit the ball as far as I can.
“The 147 just happened and I took it as a confidence builder – it shows what I can do.
“But realistically that 2023 season for me was just silly and I hit a real purple patch which you don’t often experience.
“I’m not going to get centuries all of the time, but I can influence a game in the first six overs. If we’ve got 60 or 70 on the board in that time, it frees up the other lads.
“Even scoring 20 off 10 balls does a job sometimes to get us off to a good start, so it’s not always about scoring hundreds.
“I feel as though I have more of a rounded role in the T20s as well. I know where I’m going to bat and also I play a part with the ball as well.”
‘United as one’
Priestley has made limited appearances for Staffordshire in the three-day Championship format.
He’s been a regular in the 50-over side, but opted to take a year away from that white-ball competition this season – partly down to moving house – but isn’t ruling out a return in the future.
For now, though, he’s just focused on helping Staffordshire to build on reaching the last eight of the Trophy when they transfer attention to T20s this weekend.
Captain’s county pride after Staffs reach Trophy quarter-finals
“We hadn’t qualified from the group stages of the 50s for the last three years, so that is a monkey off our backs,” added Priestley. “I’m really chuffed for everyone – and there’s certainly not a part of me that’s jealous I wasn’t involved.
“It’s a team sport, we’re a big squad, and we celebrate all of the successes together.
“There’s certainly been lots of chatter in the group chats after getting through last weekend.”
‘Big push’
After winning the T20s in 2023, Staffordshire also made a return to finals day in 2024.
However, they fell at the Super 12s stage last summer after being beaten by Herefordshire and Norfolk at Moddershall.
Dramatic day sees Staffordshire book their place in the NCCA NV Play Trophy quarter-finals
Priestley says that the players should be aiming high once again in 2026.
“I hope that we can at least get to the Super 12s stage and then take things from there,” he said.
“But we’ve got to get the results to achieve that aim initially. It’s so important that we get off to a good start.
“Northumberland are a tough side, but we’ve had success against them already this season in the Trophy.
“Hopefully we can get at least one win on the board this weekend – two would be ideal.”
Main image: All-rounder Nils Priestley is back in the Staffordshire squad for the NCCA Twenty20 Cup campaign.