Staffordshire captain James Kettleborough hopes a ‘stressful week’ will ultimately reap rewards in the NCCA Championship.
Staffs open up their National Counties Cricket Association Division One East three-day campaign with a trip to Chesham to take on Buckinghamshire tomorrow.
Skipper Kettleborough is hoping that the meticulous planning which has gone into the match leaves Staffs on the right end of the result.
It’s been a hectic week for the county captain, head coach Chris Milward and assistant Pete Wilshaw as they selected their line-up to take on the reigning champions.
Kettleborough points to the strength in depth Staffs possess which made selection tough, as well as adhering to NCCA age rules.
All counties take out their oldest three players, with the remaining eight having to average 25 years or under.
They must also have eight ‘homegrown’ players – ones who were born, educated or play their club cricket in the county.
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“We probably got the squad down to 13 reasonably quickly, but then it was about getting the right balance,” said Kettleborough.
“There’s the age regulations to stick to, unavailability from some players, so there’s lots of moving parts.
“It’s probably the most difficult part of the job and it’s not as simple as just having a pool of players and selecting 11.
“We’ve had to have some tough conversations with players who haven’t been picked, and they’re never nice to have. It can be quite stressful.
“Those players are naturally disappointed, but we want to have competition for places and players knowing there’s others waiting to come in if they don’t perform.
“But we’re very happy with the balance of the team. We’ve gone with two frontline spinners and have the three seamers as well, so there’s plenty of options.”
‘Welcome return’
Michael Hill will make his first appearance of the season for Staffs after stepping back from white-ball duties.
Winter recruit Dan Lincoln will keep wicket, with Callum Hawkins playing as a specialist batsman.
“It will be great to see Hilly again,” added Kettleborough.
“I’ve had conversations with him and he’s still as keen as ever. He’s buzzing to get back in the side.
“Callum will bat in the middle order. We believe his free-flowing style might be well suited to that particular role.
“He can bat anywhere in the top order, really. Not keeping might also free him up a bit he doesn’t have to worry about taking the gloves.”
‘Opportunity knocks’
Kettleborough says that this weekend’s encounter gives Staffs the ideal chance to lay down a marker.
Buckinghamshire topped Division One East last season and went on to lift the overall Championship title by beating Devon by 19 runs in the final.
“We normally play Bucks in the third or fourth game of the Championship season,” explained Kettleborough.
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“You can view it that it’s the toughest start we could have had, but it’s an opportunity for us.
“With it being a four-game season in red ball, winning or losing the first game can go some way to dictating how things pan out.
“I’m sure that at the end of this match both sides will still want to be in the mix to win the division.
“So we know it’s a chance for us to set the tone.”
Staffordshire: James Kettleborough (cpt, Checkley), Sam Kelsall (Moddershall), Reeve Evitts (Wolverhampton), Joe Hawkins (Moddershall), Callum Hawkins (Moddershall), Michael Hill (Wombourne), Dan Lincoln (High Wycombe), Liam Hurt (Leyland), Sam Keeling-Wright (Old Hill), Jake Garlick (Moddershall), Tom Brett (Finedon Dolben).
Main image: James Kettleborough leads Staffordshire out at Buckinghamshire this weekend.