James Abbotts will make his Staffordshire debut in this weekend’s NCCA Championship final against Berkshire.
The 19-year-old batsman has been drafted into the Staffs side for the four-day contest at West Bromwich Dartmouth, which starts on Sunday.
Abbotts has been in excellent form for Checkley this season since making the winter move from Knypersley.
He has scored more than 700 runs in all competitions for the NSSCL Premier A outfit.
Abbotts has already helped Checkley to win the Twenty20 Cup and they are still battling to win the league and Talbot Cup.
He comes into the side for Lewis Moulton in the only change to the team which defeated Buckinghamshire to win NCCA Division One East.
Abbotts has scored two centuries for Checkley, including a fine 104 last week in the victory at Meakins.
Abbotts has opened the batting for Checkley in the win/lose format, and taken a middle-order berth in the red-ball matches to highlight his versatility.
Staffordshire had hoped to include Zen Malik in their side for the contest.
Malik, who recently signed a professional contract with Warwickshire, was granted permission by the Bears to play.
However, he has opted to manage his work load and rest.
Seamer Rory Haydon is unavailable due to commitments with Derbyshire, where he has been featuring for their second XI.
Staffordshire: James Kettleborough (cpt, Checkley), Matt Morris (Westhoughton), Tom Moulton (Leek), Reeve Evitts (Kenilworth Wardens), Michael Hill (Meakins), Callum Hawkins (Moddershall & Oulton), James Abbotts (Checkley), Sam Atkinson (Moddershall & Oulton), Liam Hurt (Flixton), Oliver Tucker (Meakins), Tom Brett (Finedon Dolben).
Main image: James Abbotts will make his Staffordshire debut in the NCCA Championship final against Berkshire.
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