Staffordshire captain James Kettleborough admits he’s been mulling over whether to restore order to his side this weekend.
There’s no issues in the county camp – merely the fact Kettleborough, head coach Chris Milward and assistant Pete Wilshaw have to decide the make-up of their batting order.
Openers Sam Kelsall and Matt Morris appeared to be locked in considering they have filled those roles for all three NCCA NV Play Trophy Group Two matches so far.
But it is the middle order which provides the intrigue as Staffordshire face Lincolnshire in their final group clash at Bignall End on Sunday (11am).
And the stakes couldn’t be higher. The winners of the game will join Norfolk in progressing to the knockout phase of the competition.
That’s a big deal for Staffordshire, who have failed to advance for the past three seasons.
‘Order, order’
However, Staffs have questions to answer about who slots in where for Sunday’s pivotal clash.
In the first two matches, Reeve Evitts dropped in at three, followed by Kettleborough, Ollie Walker and Dan Lincoln.
But for last weekend’s victory at Northumberland, Evitts was unavailable, meaning Kettleborough jumped to number three.
Lincoln then emerged at four, with Walker remaining at five.
The switch didn’t hamper Staffordshire as their 68-run success maintained their qualification bid heading into the final round of matches.
With Evitts back for this weekend, will Staffs revert back to their order from the first two games or stick with the make-up of their top six from last week?
Coach Milward looking for Staffs to deliver final knockout blow
“Every week we’ve got plenty to think about depending on who is available and what the team is going to look like,” said Kettleborough.
“We have depth in the squad and Reeve is available again. We’re fortunate that we have players who can fill a number of roles.
“I have total confidence in them doing whatever type of job they are tasked with – we just have to decide which way to go.
“It’s a headache – but a good headache to have – and we’re confident we can come up with the right solution. If you look at our top seven or eight, any two of them can come off on any given day.
“So if one or two miss out, we have the strength and belief that people can deliver.”
‘Batting prowess’
Kettleborough, Walker and Lincoln all stood up with the bat in last Sunday’s impressive victory at Jesmond.
The first two both made 95, while Lincoln chipped in with 38 to initially help Staffs to recover from 35-2.
They eventually posted 292-9 before producing a disciplined bowling performance to dismiss Northumberland for 224.
That means, after beating Bedfordshire, Staffordshire have ticked off two wins to set up the winner-takes-all encounter with Lincs.
“The nature of the defeat by Norfolk in the opening game scuppered our run rate,” added Kettleborough.
“That gave us clarity that we needed to win the remaining three matches to qualify.
“It’s been important to focus on each individual game. It’s easy saying we need to win three games of cricket, but if you lose the first of that block it’s all over.
“You have to treat matches as one-offs. We knew going to Bedfordshire if we lost we were out, and the same at Northumberland.
Reeve Evitts returns for Staffordshire’s Trophy clash with Lincs
“From my point of view, this weekend’s game is no different to Beds or Northumberland.
“We want to keep improving and we know that the prize of winning the game is a place in the quarter-finals. We just have to execute our skills.
“Qualifying would be great and give us momentum and increase confidence even further. But if things don’t go our way, we still have plenty of positives to take from the Trophy campaign.”
‘Bowlers shine’
It wasn’t just Staffordshire’s batters who delivered in the north east last Sunday.
Walker followed up his batting exploits with four wickets to mop up the hosts’ tail.
And spinners Tom Brett and Matt Morris put the squeeze on Northumberland by bowling their combined 20 overs for just 57 runs.
Experience was also key with Liam Hurt – who was expected to sit out the 50-over campaign – drafted in to replace the unavailable Sam Keeling-Wright.
‘We know we’re a good side, it’s just a case of proving it’
“Ollie is an incredibly talented cricketer,” said Kettleborough. “He had shown glimpses in the first couple of matches, but then announced himself at Northumberland. For people who didn’t know much about him, they do now.
“Bretty and Moz also played a pivotal role in the win. When you are defending nearly 300, if you can get through 20 overs conceding just 57 runs, it makes a big difference.
“It was also great that Hurty played. It is just his presence and input which is invaluable.
“There’s not many sides who wouldn’t want him in their team.”
‘Final flourish’
Kettleborough is now hoping that the local cricket fraternity turns out in force to help his side over the line at Bignall End.
He’s well aware, though, that Lincolnshire possess some dangerous players who will be intent on stopping Staffs’ charge.
“Being at home might help to a degree, but then again the two games we’ve won so far have been on the road,” explained Kettleborough.
“Bignall End hosted us last year really well and it was a nice wicket to play on. It’s great to play cricket there.
“We’ve played Lincs a lot in red-ball cricket in recent years, but not in white ball.
“They are a talented group, with match-winners, so we know we’re going to have to be on our game.”
Main image: Staffordshire captain James Kettleborough says decisions have to be made about the batting order to face Lincolnshire. Picture: Roger Byrne