Tom Brett has taken on a new role ahead of Staffordshire’s NCCA Championship game against Cambridgeshire.
The 35-year-old is Staffs’ frontline spinner, but he’s also been the county’s ‘spy in the camp’ ahead of this weekend Division One East finale at Peterborough.
It’s a venue where Staffordshire have never played, but Brett is well versed in what the venue has to offer.
The slow left-armer plays his club cricket for Finedon Dolben, with one of their Northants Premier League rivals being Peterborough.
So for information about what life at Bretton Gate might have to offer, skipper James Kettleborough has had to look no further than his close pal.
“It’s an open place to play cricket. I played there in July in the league T20s and with three games in a day, it did start to spin,” said Brett.
“Runs are scored there, but I’ve said to Ketts that it’s the type of place you look to bat first and hope it breaks up as the game goes on.
“For a three-day game they will have prepared it really well, but that has to be the hope that it spins.
“I’ve always felt I bowled quite nicely there and it’s a good place to bowl. I just hope it’s a similar wicket to what I expect.”
‘Fine margins’
Staffordshire hit the road needing a snooker if they are to retain their Division One East title.
A one-wicket defeat by Buckinghamshire at Stafford in the last round of games has left the side needing to win at Cambs.
And they also required Buckinghamshire to fail to beat Lincolnshire in order for them to make the leap back to top spot.
That’s in stark contrast to how the permutations could have unfolded if Staffs had taken the last wicket against Bucks.
A victory would have left Kettleborough’s men requiring a mere three points to be crowned divisional champions once more.
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“It was frustrating and disappointing at Stafford,” admitted Brett. “At the halfway point of the final day, we were probably favourites.
“I’d say we only have ourselves to blame. If you look into it deeply, you can nit-pick certain things, but overall it was a great advert for NCCA cricket.
“The result didn’t work out, but in the debrief we said that it’s important to move on quite quickly.
“We now have to bounce back and it’s going to be quite an exciting three days.
“Everyone will be keeping an eye on the other scores, so it’s a big few days for all of us.”
‘Plenty to play for’
Suffolk are top on 51 points – but have finished their matches – with Bucks in second on 48, Staffs in third in 38, followed by Cambs (32) and Lincolnshire (20).
And while Bucks will be favourites to beat Lincolnshire to take the title, Brett insists it’s not a foregone conclusion.
“We’re hoping that Bucks feel the pressure and slip up,” he said.
“Lincs might be bottom, but they have some very good players. There’s the Keast brothers, Sam Evans and Mark Footitt, who can take five and six-fors.
“There’s no reason why they can’t go to Bucks and win and do us a favour.
“But there’s no point that happening and then us not beating Cambs. We have to deal with our own business and then see what happens in the other fixture.
“It’s important that we put ourselves in a position to capitalise if Bucks don’t win their game.”
‘Setting the standard’
Brett, who joined Staffordshire from Beds ahead of the 2023 season, picked up his 100th wicket for the county earlier in the season.
He’s one of four senior players, alongside skipper Kettleborough, Michael Hill and Liam Hurt, in the team.
And even though plenty of the younger set have impressed this summer, Brett wants the seniors to lead the way at Cambridgeshire – and also have a bit of personal luck.
“Looking at the three-dayers alone, I’ve probably been a little bit unlucky at times,” added Brett, who has 17 Championship wickets in three games this season.
New faces in Staffordshire squad for Championship trip to Cambs
“Especially at Suffolk there were probably a couple of things which could have gone my way and then you get on a roll.
“It’s crucial that the senior boys continue to step up this weekend and set the standard for the younger players.
“We’re a team that is progressing. You take out the four older lads and it’s quite a young side.
“We’ve seen the youngsters perform this summer. Callum Hawkins produced a special knock at Suffolk to make his first hundred and the likes of Jacob Garlick and Sam Atkinson have bowled brilliantly this season.
“Hopefully we can all go again and we’ll end up topping the division after the three days at Cambridgeshire.”
Main image: Tom Brett has taken more than 100 wickets for Staffordshire since making the move from Bedfordshire ahead of the 2023 season. Picture: Roger Byrne