James Kettleborough says Staffordshire are in a good place at the halfway stage of the NCCA Twenty20 Cup group stage.
A win and a defeat against Shropshire at the weekend followed the victory and tie secured in the opening weekend’s action against Northumberland.
Those results have left Staffs joint top of Group One with Northumberland – as sides chase the three qualification spots for the Super 12s stage.
Staffordshire opened impressively in Sunday’s first encounter at Wem, posting 143-7 before limiting their rivals to 111-9 in reply.
“I was really pleased with how game one went,” said captain Kettleborough.
“We probably misjudged the wicket a bit. It looked like it was going to be a belter and a couple of high-scoring games.
“But there wasn’t the pace in it that we expected and that was highlighted in the scores.
“The bowlers went about their business exceptionally and to win a low-scoring game by that margin was a great start for us.”
Jake Garlick and Liam Hurt had shared seven wickets in limiting Shropshire in that opening encounter.
‘Disappointing afternoon’
But the home side exacted revenge in the second meeting.
Staffs reached 148-5 – Ollie Walker hitting a half-century and Joe Hawkins making 33 not out – but that target was easily achievable for Shropshire.
Sahal Malvernkar’s unbeaten 91 secured an eight-wicket win for his side with 11 balls remaining.
“We thought we’d put a par score on the board in the second match,” added Kettleborough.
Mixed fortunes for Staffordshire in NCCA Twenty20 Cup double header at Shropshire
“So it was disappointing how it panned out with the ball. They had a player who chanced his arm and was slightly unorthodox.
“He sent the ball to strange areas and we couldn’t find any answers to that. We were disappointed, but to take the game into the 19th over shows that another 15 or 20 runs would have made things interesting.
“But once a player gets going in T20 cricket it can be really difficult to stop them.
“We did really well to fight as we did, so that’s a positive. It’s still a really good start for us and there’s plenty more to come from us.”
‘Duo shine’
Kettleborough also reserved special praise for the performances of Garlick and Hawkins.
“We know how good Garlo is and the way he’s developed over the past 12 to 18 months has been really pleasing,” he explained.
Date announced for former players’ day
“Garlo had a brilliant red-ball season last year and he’s now transferred that into the white-ball formats. He’s really grown.
“For Joe, it’s great to see another Staffs pathway player represent the county when his Derbyshire commitments allow.
“He’s matured as a cricketer and you saw what a class act he is on Sunday.”
‘Trophy test’
Staffordshire now turn their attention back to Knockout Trophy matters this weekend.
Kettleborough takes his side up to Carlisle to take on Cumbria in the quarter-finals of the competition.
It’s a big game for the county considering that they have failed to progress from the group stages in each of the past three seasons.
‘The mentality is strong and I love that attribute’
“It’s an exciting opportunity for us,” said Kettleborough. “Only eight teams have this chance, so it’s a privilege to be among them.
“This isn’t the end of the story, though, and we want to grab the chance to make it to the semi-finals.
“I guess we will go there as underdogs. Cumbria won all four matches to top their group, are at home and we’ve got travelling to do on Saturday.
“But when we turn up at the ground on Sunday, we know what we’re capable of and if we play our best cricket then we will give ourselves every chance of progressing again.”
Main image: James Kettleborough says he’s happy with Staffordshire’s progress in the NCCA Twenty20 Cup so far. Picture: Roger Byrne