Staffordshire select squad for NCCA Twenty20 Cup finals day

Staffordshire County Cricket Club all-rounder Nils Priestley

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 […]

‘You won’t see a spell of bowling as fast as that in NCCA cricket’

Staffordshire seamer Liam Hurt

It was on the third afternoon of the NCCA Championship final when a key trait of this emerging Staffordshire team was perfectly highlighted. Staffs had conceded a first-innings lead of 99 to serial winners Berkshire at West Bromwich Dartmouth to leave themselves behind the game. Some sides might have felt sorry for themselves. Others might […]

Day One report: Connell and Lincoln put Berkshire in control on opening day of final

Staffordshire had a tough first day against Berkshire in the NCCA Championship final.

Staffordshire were on the receiving end of contrasting centuries by Johnny Connell and Josh Lincoln as Berkshire seized control of the NCCA Championship final. The showpiece had started so promisingly for Staffs as captain James Kettleborough won the toss, elected to field, and then saw his bowlers reduce Berkshire to 109-5 at West Bromwich Dartmouth. […]

Staffordshire debut for James Abbotts in NCCA Championship final

James Abbotts

James Abbotts will make his Staffordshire debut in this weekend’s NCCA Championship final against Berkshire. The 19-year-old batsman has been drafted into the Staffs side for the four-day contest at West Bromwich Dartmouth, which starts on Sunday. Abbotts has been in excellent form for Checkley this season since making the winter move from Knypersley. He […]

Andy Carr in dreamland as Staffordshire head to final frontier

Staffordshire County Cricket Club head coach Andy Carr

Staffordshire head coach Andy Carr admits admiring glances have been cast Berkshire’s way – but believes his side are taking the first steps towards potentially following their lead. The two sides meet in the NCCA Championship final at West Bromwich Dartmouth, starting on Sunday, with both having contrasting records in the red-ball format over the […]

Day Three report: Staffordshire are crowned NCCA Division One East champions

Staffordshire celebrate winning the NCCA Division One East title.

Staffordshire were crowned NCCA Championship Division One East champions with a 67-run victory over Buckinghamshire. It was just shy of the midway point of the afternoon session on the third day when off-spinner Oliver Tucker crashed one into the pads on Tom Weymes to win an lbw verdict to secure the divisional title for Staffs. […]

Day Two report: Staffordshire face dramatic final day in title quest

Staffordshire spinner Tom Brett

Staffordshire will need to show nerves of steel on the final day of their Division One East clash against Buckinghamshire if they are to be crowned champions. Staffs closed the second day on 199-7 – leading by 215 runs – at High Wycombe, but the destination of the NCCA Championship divisional title is still up […]

Day One report: Late wicket gives Staffordshire boost against Bucks

Staffordshire spinner Oliver Tucker

Staffordshire and Buckinghamshire served up a tense opening day in what could be an NCCA Championship title decider. In a final round of matches where all four sides playing – including Suffolk and Lincolnshire – could win the Division One East title, the next three days are likely to have thrills and spills before the […]

Staffordshire to field debutant in key NCCA Championship clash

Staffordshire County Cricket Club captain James Kettleborough, left, and Matt Morris

Staffordshire have made one change to their side for tomorrow’s NCCA Championship title decider against Buckinghamshire. From the side which beat Suffolk this week, Leek seamer Rory Haydon is unavailable because he is featuring for Derbyshire 2nd XI. He has been replaced by his club-mate Lewis Moulton, who will be making his senior Staffordshire debut. […]

Day Three report: Staffordshire move to top of the table after epic run chase

Staffordshire produced one of their finest-ever run chases to beat Suffolk by five wickets in a thrilling NCCA Championship clash at Stafford. Staffs were set 307 for victory in a minimum of 65 overs on the final day of the Division One East match in the county town. And it was the Staffordshire youngsters who […]