Sam Atkinson can lay claim to being one of Staffordshire’s surprise packages of the Championship season.
The 19-year-old is primarily known as a seamer, but it has been his batting this summer which has caught the eye.
There has always been the thought that Atkinson had ability with the bat – and he’s worked hard on improving that side of his game.
But putting that into practice in NCCA red-ball games is not an easy feat – although Atkinson has delivered in spades.
The Moddershall & Oulton player has churned out 203 Championship runs for Staffs in six innings, averaging north of 50.
And there’s been some notable feats along the way.
Having sat out the opening game against Bedfordshire at Checkley, Atkinson announced his return to the line-up with a maiden Staffs half-century in the stalemate with Lincolnshire at Cleethorpes.
‘Record breaker’
His 86 in the first innings was also part of a county record.
He put on 190 for the seventh wicket with Michael Hill, who made 166 not out – to topple the previous best for that wicket of 179 between Nick Archer and Paul Newman against Northumberland at Jesmond in 1994.
Keen to prove that was no flash in the pan, Atkinson then blazed 35 not out to complete victory over Suffolk at Stafford, before making a crucial 41 in the second innings at Bucks as Staffs lifted the Division One East title at High Wycombe.
However, Atkinson’s success with the bat is no fluke.
Staffordshire debut for James Abbotts in NCCA Championship final
“The main focus through the winter for me was to work on my batting,” he said. “I spent a lot of time working on both batting and bowling drills.
“I’ve been very pleased with my batting performances. I have achieved my first Staffordshire NCCA 50, which is always something special.
“I also feel as through some of my other innings have contributed to the team getting across the line.”
‘Suffolk style’
Atkinson may have played that fine innings on the coast at Cleethorpes, but it was his late intervention against Suffolk which was just as crucial.
Staffordshire were set 307 to win the game on the last day – and managed to pocket a five-wicket triumph to achieve the second-highest successful chase in the county’s history.
And Atkinson in at seven, once again alongside Hill, hit an unbeaten 35 to seal the deal – an innings which highlighted his growing maturity with the bat.
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“Having batted with Michael Hill at Cleethorpes it was good to walk in to a very experienced player again,” he explained.
“That gave me confidence to play my own game.
“Hilly told me as I walked in to bat ‘we both get 30 not out here, Acko, we win this game’ which took my nerves away.
“My ambition is to become a number six batsmen and be an out-and-out all-rounder.”
‘Patience’
Atkinson will still – for the time being – be seen as a frontline bowler, although he’s had to bide his time in this summer’s red-ball programme.
After not playing at Checkley, he went wicketless at Lincs before taking four against Suffolk. However, he wasn’t required to bowl at High Wycombe, but says he went along with captain James Kettleborough’s train of thought.
“I have bowled well for my club this season. When I have been asked to bowl for Staffs I feel like I have done what has been asked of me,” he explained.
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“My goal for the future is to get the new ball back. It is good to set yourself targets as a young cricketer.
“I understood what was needed for that wicket (at High Wycombe) which was spin.
“Of course I always want to bowl but the main thing for me is to win. I feel I offer more than just bowling which are my fielding skills and being a team player.”
Atkinson is now looking to sample more of that winning feeling when Staffs line up against Berkshire at West Bromwich Dartmouth in the final, starting on Sunday.
‘Eyeing up more success’
He’s only 19, but Atkinson already has a T20 winner’s medal safely tucked away, as well as being a Division One East title winner.
This season hasn’t been without it’s challenges, notably being released by Warwickshire, but he’s determined to finish on a high.
“Last season was a great year especially winning and being the T20 champions. The team morale was high which was then brought into this season,” insisted Atkinson.
‘We celebrated winning the division, but there’s one challenge to go’
“This season has been good. There’s lots of positives to take away from each format. I had to deal with some negatives too mid-season when I was released from the Warwickshire Academy.
“It was a difficult time mentally and personally, but it gave me more determination to perform as an all-rounder for Staffs and Moddershall & Oulton.
“So far I have been involved in winning a T20 final last year and now to be in the Championship four-day final and the T20 final again for Staffs at the age of 19 is a massive achievement.
“I am confident we can get the job done (against Berkshire). If we keep doing what we have been doing as a team there is no reason why not.”
Main image: Sam Atkinson has starred with the bat for Staffordshire this season. Picture: Alfie Shenton
