A Staffordshire XI are heading to Wales on Sunday for a friendly encounter.
The 50-over per side game is being staged at St Asaph.
With a number of players having commitments in the ECB National Club Championship, it has provided head coach Andy Carr with the chance to look at his squad depth ahead of the National Counties Cricket Association season.
Ockbrook & Borrowash batsman Ethan Burlusconi is included, while Tamworth seamer Ed Smith is also given an opportunity.
Staffordshire have some NCCA experience in the travelling party in skipper James Kettleborough, Michael Hill, Reeve Evitts, Matthew Morris and Anis Raza.
‘Good chance’
Carr said: “It’s a chance for the first XI squad players to get out on the grass.
“We are a week into the season and the players have played friendlies, but this is a chance to play at a better standard.
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“It gives us the opportunity to look at players who have been on the fringes or come through the development XI.
“This process isn’t a closed shop. Across the county, we are looking at people who are putting in decent performances. We are not going to ignore them.
“We have scouts out there now looking to increase our playing depth. This is a great opportunity for the lads to put in a good performance.”
Staffordshire start their NCCA Knockout Trophy campaign on Sunday, May 4 when they host Herefordshire at West Bromwich Dartmouth.
They then play Suffolk at Bignall End on Monday, May 5.
Staffordshire XI: James Kettleborough (cpt, Checkley), Ethan Burlusconi (Ockbrook & Borrowash), Reeve Evitts (Wolverhampton), Jack Hammond (Meakins), Michael Hill (Wombourne), Yussuf Khalil (West Bromwich Dartmouth), Niall McHale (Milford Hall), Matthew Morris (Burslem), Anis Raza (Ashcombe Park), Ed Smith (Tamworth), Amaan Tariq (Meakins), Matthew Turner (Stafford).
Image: Matthew Morris is in the Staffordshire side to play Wales this weekend. Picture: Roger Byrne
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