Staffordshire grit impresses captain James Kettleborough

Staffordshire County Cricket Club captain James Kettleborough

James Kettleborough admitted that his overriding emotion was one of pride after watching his Staffordshire side come close to beating Lincolnshire.

Staffs were left just two wickets short of winning the NCCA Championship game at Cleethorpes – a scenario which had seemed fanciful at best heading into the final day.

Staffordshire had closed day two on 106-7 – leading by 103 – and appeared to be heading towards defeat.

But they turned the tables superbly on day three as Reeve Evitts’ mammoth century, plus 56 from Rory Haydon, helped them to recover to 296 all out.

Tom Brett then picked up 5-48, but Lincolnshire dug in to earn a draw, closing on 193-8 in pursuit of their 294-run target.

‘Small steps’

“At the start of the third day we didn’t want to think too much about the outcome,” said skipper Kettleborough.

“We spoke about what we needed to do, which was to show fight, character and really get stuck in.

“We said if we could get through the first half-hour, then get the lead up to 150, Lincolnshire might start to get a bit nervous.

“It was all about breaking the day down into little milestones and whether we could show that character and fight.

Day Three report: Brilliant Staffordshire so close to securing win

“At the end of the game when we had them eight down, with 14 overs to go, you think there was an opportunity to win the match.

“But across all innings, when the ball got to 35 overs old it became incredibly tough to take wickets.

“So I wasn’t disappointed we didn’t win, I was just hugely proud of what we did on the final day.

“This is a group of players which never gives up and that’s a positive characteristic to have.”

‘Records tumble’

Michael Hill had led the way with the bat for Staffs on day one with a sparkling 166 not out.

He was backed up by Callum Hawkins’ 60 and 86 from Sam Atkinson.

Indeed, Hill and Atkinson’s seventh-wicket stand of 190 – a key part of the side’s 386-7 – broke a county record for that partnership.

Their exploits toppled the previous best of 179 between Nick Archer and Paul Newman against Northumberland at Jesmond in 1994.

Day Two report: Staffordshire left facing defeat after collapse

And the second innings saw another Staffs record fall by the wayside.

Evitts, who made 172, and Haydon’s 56 formed part of an alliance which reaped 184 runs.

That smashed the eighth-wicket best for Staffs of 136 between Pete Wilshaw and Craig Barker against Bedfordshire at Old Hill in 2011.

“Hilly hasn’t perhaps enjoyed his cricket as much as he would like this summer, so for him to have some time off and bounce back as he did was fantastic,” added Kettleborough.

“He showed his class and quality. He was in when we were 51-4 and I’d say that was as good an innings as I’ve ever seen from Hilly.

“Reeve was pretty much the same. He’s batted in some challenging positions in white-ball cricket, but his innings belied his years.

“And we can’t forget the contributions made by Callum, Sam and Rory.

“In the case of the last two, batting is not the suit they are renowned for. So for them to show that application bodes really well.”

‘Final afternoon entertainment’

Lincolnshire attacked the run chase with gusto as Nic Keast blazed a rapid 67.

However, it was always going to be a tall order to knock off the runs in the seaside heat.

Remarkably, all of the matches so far in Division One East have been drawn, leaving the title up for grabs.

Day One report: There’s more Clee glee for Michael Hill

Staffordshire sit in fourth place, but have only played two games so far. They are 14 points off top spot.

“We always knew that Lincs were going to go for it and that they had four or five players who could play match-winning innings,” explained Kettleborough.

“But on the flip side we knew a few quick wickets would also put them under pressure.

“Chasing around 300 is a big ask, but that innings topped off what was a really good game of cricket.

“We’ve now got two games to play and one or two wins puts us in the mix. We’re fourth at the moment, but it’s so tight that anything can happen.”

‘Strong support’

The Cleethorpes fixture also provided Staffordshire’s players with the opportunity to show their support to head coach Andy Carr.

Carr has recently been diagnosed with bowel cancer and the players wore T-shirts with Carr’s name and county heritage numbers on them throughout the game.

“What we have with Staffordshire is a very tight, close-knit group who always look out for each other,” added Kettleborough. “We support each other on and off the field. It was fitting that we emphasised that to Andy and his family.

“I’m aware that he’s had plenty of messages of support both through social media and personally since his diagnosis.

“That highlights how well respected he is in cricket. I know everyone connected with Staffordshire is fully behind him as he undergoes treatment.”

Main image: James Kettleborough praised Staffordshire’s character after their NCCA Championship draw at Lincolnshire. Picture: Alfie Shenton