Suffolk slump to defeat inside two days

SUFFOLK slumped to an eight-wicket loss to Lincolnshire inside two days in their opening NCCA Championship match of the season at Bury St Edmunds.

The home team, who led by 38 runs on first innings, were bowled out for 84 in only 24.1 overs, leaving Lincolnshire 123 to win which they achieved with ease.

The match at the Victory Ground was all over before tea on day two, and leaves Suffolk with a mountain to climb if they are to retain the Eastern Division One title they won last season in its inaugural year.

Suffolk, who had won the toss on Sunday and elected to bat, contributed to their own demise with some poor shots as they were dismissed for a below-par 222.

All ten wickets fell to catches as Suffolk lasted just 67.1 of their maximum allotted 90 overs, with Sudbury’s Ben Parker (pictured batting above) top-scoring with 47.

Alex Quin, who was brought in for his Championship debut after Leicestershire’s George Rhodes dropped out due to Covid, was one of six Suffolk batters to be caught by wicket-keeper Tom Keast.

Two late wickets saw the visitors close the day on 150 for 5, and Suffolk swept aside the tail on Monday morning, claiming the remaining four wickets to fall – Mason Hildrith was injured and did not bat – for the addition of 34 runs.

Tom Rash and Jack Beaumont picked up three wickets apiece, while Matt Wareing held a well-judged boundary catch to remove opener Jack Timby for 50.

Suffolk, who were without debutant Michael Godwin in their second innings due to food poisoning, failed to capitalise on their advantage, opening bowlers Mark Footitt (12.1-1-35-4) and Curtis Free (11-3-31-5) blowing away their batting.

A second half century of the match from Keast, who finished on 63 off 46 deliveries, then wrapped up a comfortable victory from just 20 overs.

Suffolk skipper Jack Beaumont said afterwards: “It’s just disappointing losing that many wickets in that short space of time as you can’t expect to win Championship games.

“Hopefully we can draw a line under it and go into the Norfolk game next weekend and put in a much stronger performance.”

Suffolk face Norfolk in their second three-day fixture of the season at Woolpit CC, starting on Sunday at 11am.

Scorecard

Tags: Ben Parker, Jack Beaumont, Lincolnshire, NCCA Championship, Tom Rash

Categorised in: Suffolk CCC