Staffordshire have selected a 12-man squad for this weekend’s NCCA Twenty20 Cup title defence.
Staffs won the competition last summer with victory over Cornwall at Tring Park.
However, their hopes of an immediate defence were dashed back in May when the rain forced finals day to be abandoned.
So Staffordshire return to Chester Boughton Hall on Sunday to try to keep their hands on the silverware – and in the process become the first side to defend the cup.
Cumbria and Oxfordshire contest the first semi-final at 10am, before Staffs take on Berkshire – who they drew with in the NCCA Championship final this week – at 1pm. The final takes place at 4pm.
Staffs welcome back all-rounder Nils Priestley into the travelling party.
Priestley scored 147 not out in last season’s semi-final win against Berkshire.
But work commitments have forced him to sit out the recent red-ball programme.
There is also a spot in the squad for Hem Heath’s Liam Banks. He makes his first appearance of the season for the county.
Banks has been in prime form this summer to help champions Hem Heath to challenge for the NSSCL Premier A title for the second successive season.
‘Leese and Haydon in’
He is joined by club-mate Callum Leese in head coach Andy Carr’s squad.
Leek seamer Rory Haydon also returns after missing the Championship final to feature for Derbyshire.
Spectators are reminded that all tickets purchased for the original finals day date in May will be valid for Sunday’s matches.
Staffordshire (from): James Kettleborough (cpt, Checkley), Sam Atkinson (Moddershall & Oulton), Liam Banks (Hem Heath), Tom Brett (Finedon Dolben), Reeve Evitts (Kenilworth Wardens), Callum Hawkins (Moddershall & Oulton), Rory Haydon (Leek), Michael Hill (Meakins), Liam Hurt (Flixton), Matt Morris (Westhoughton), Nils Priestley (Checkley), Callum Leese (Hem Heath).
Main image: Nils Priestley returns to the Staffordshire squad for NCCA Twenty20 Cup finals day at Chester Boughton Hall.
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