Staffordshire managed to clinch home advantage in the next round of the NCCA Twenty20 Cup yesterday – without bowling a ball.
The county’s final Group One double header against Cumbria fell victim to the inclement Carlisle weather.
But the two-point haul – one for each abandoned match – proved to be enough for James Kettleborough’s side to finish as group winners.
They made the long trip north knowing that one win out of the two matches would virtually be enough to be a host club in the Super 12s stage of the competition.
And with Cheshire winning both of their games against Northumberland, it didn’t matter that Staffordshire failed to get on to the pitch.
Staffs had already qualified for the next stage – with three of the five sides in each group progressing – after twin wins against near-neighbours Cheshire last month.
‘Big prize’
However, a key change to the competition format has left counties scrambling to earn home advantage.
This year, the winners of each of the four groups will not only get to stage a Super 12s section, but will automatically advance to the final.
The other two sides who are paired in their group will then play an eliminator to tee up a winner-takes-all clash later in the day.
The four winners of the Super 12s groups progress to finals day at the end of August.
Staffordshire have yet to confirm their home venue for the Super 12s group, which will be played on Sunday, August 9.
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But they did at least take some comfort that the journey up the M6 wasn’t totally wasted as they finished as group winners.
That continues Staffs’ recent good run in the National Counties Cricket Association’s short format.
Staffs won the competition for the first time in their history in 2023 with a thrilling victory over Cornwall at Tring Park.
They then reached finals day in 2025 and the Super 12s last summer where they were beaten by Norfolk and Herefordshire.
However, captain Kettleborough will be setting his sights on booking another appearance at finals day this year.
‘Three-day focus’
Before that, though, Staffordshire have to park their T20 commitments to focus on Championship matters.
They kick off their three-day Division One East campaign on Sunday against Buckinghamshire at Chesham.
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Staffordshire were one wicket away from winning the division last year and advancing to the final.
As it was, Bucks clinched top spot and went on to beat Devon by 19 runs in the Championship final – played between the winners of Division One East and West – at West Bromwich Dartmouth’s Sandwell Park.
Staffordshire’s other Championship games see them welcome Cambridgeshire to Checkley on July 26.
In August, they hit the road for another lengthy trip to Northumberland, before winding up the three-day division with a home clash against Suffolk at Stafford.
The first day of that encounter against Suffolk – Sunday, August 23 – is also marked down as the county’s former players’ day.
Main image: The weather prevented any play between Cumbria and Staffordshire in the NCCA T20 Cup. Picture: Martin Williams