Staffordshire will take a 12-man squad to the north east this weekend for their second round of NCCA Twenty20 Cup matches.
Staffs play Northumberland at South Northumberland Cricket Club on Sunday for their latest double header (11am & 2.30pm).
And they will be keeping their fingers crossed for better weather after seeing last weekend’s games against Cumbria at Checkley abandoned due to rain.
The county had switched the matches from Moddershall & Oulton, which was deemed unfit because of the bad weather.
However, the rain followed Staffs to Four Trees and prevented any play.
So Staffordshire make the long trip to Northumberland aiming to belatedly start their National Counties Cricket Association season.
‘Squad changes’
All-rounder Liam Banks and left-arm spinner Tom Brett are not available for this weekend’s Group One games after being in the line-up last Sunday.
Westhoughton batsman Matthew Morris is included in the travelling party.
Former Lancashire seamer Liam Hurt is set for his Staffordshire debut. Hurt has been playing for Northamptonshire seconds this week in their four-day match against Glamorgan.
Hurt picked up four wickets as Northants cruised to victory at Newport.
Hosts Northumberland also had a false start last weekend.
They were due to play Cheshire at Chester Boughton Hall, but the weather saw both matches abandoned.
This weekend’s other Group One encounter sees Shropshire entertain Cheshire at Shifnal.
Staffordshire (from): James Kettleborough (cpt, Checkley), Sam Atkinson (Moddershall & Oulton), Spencer Byatt (Nantwich), Dan Gibbs (Newcastle & Hartshill), Michael Hill (Meakins), Liam Hurt (Flixton), Matthew Morris (Westhoughton), Nils Priestley (Swarkestone), Jack Redman (Audley), Dan Richardson (Moddershall & Oulton), Peter Wilshaw (Meakins), Tom Moulton (Checkley).
Image: Matthew Morris is in Staffordshire’s squad for the NCCA T20 Cup trip to Northumberland. Picture: Alfie Shenton
