Suffolk forced into making four changes

July 7, 2022

SUFFOLK are forced into making four changes, including three debutants, for their second NCCA Championship match of the season.

Michael Godwin, Alex Quin, Josh Cantrell and Tom Rash are all unavailable for the first three-day fixture to be staged at Woolpit CC when Norfolk are the visitors, starting on Sunday at 11am.

Work and university commitments rule out Godwin and Quin, who both made their Championship debuts in the eight-wicket loss to Lincolnshire, while Cantrell is attending his graduation and farmer Rash is harvesting.

Leicestershire’s George Rhodes, who was due to make his debut in the match at Bury St Edmunds but had Covid, is now fit again as is Darren Ironside after injury.

They will be joined in the side by two other Championship debutants – Josh Frame, who played in the NCCA Trophy victory over Cheshire, and Copdock & Old Ipswichian opening bowler Luke Froggatt.

Suffolk head coach Andy Northcote, who will continue to keep wicket and bat in the middle order, reflected on the loss to Lincolnshire, where Suffolk held a 38-run first innings lead before being bowled out for 84.

He said: “On the whole it was a disappointing day-and-a-half but if you analyse it closer, there are snippets of play that kept us in the game. Yes, our first innings total should have been a lot more, but we fought back so well to get a lead.

“The second innings was, I guess, just one of those things; teams get rolled occasionally and this was our time. No batter stuck their hand up. The majority, including myself, were ill-disciplined and the result is there for all to see. It does not make us a bad side all of a sudden.”

Looking ahead to the Norfolk fixture, Northcote said: “I don’t believe it will be difficult to lift the players; they will do that themselves. They will not want to feel the emotions they did last Monday any time soon.”

Suffolk skipper Jack Beaumont (pictured bowling above) took his 50th Championship wicket in Lincolnshire’s first innings and Northcote said: “Jack’s turning himself into a really crafty player that must be respected by the opposition with both bat and ball. I think what is pleasing to witness is the fact that he is just starting to realise it.”

Northcote, who expects “two very even teams” to take to the field for the match at his home club, added: “I am delighted the county has chosen Woolpit to host it; they have worked incredibly hard over the last few years to make the club what we know it is today.

“The deck will be good to bat on and turn late in the game, making it a result wicket and hopefully the players from both sides can do it justice.”

Suffolk: Alex Oxley, Darren Ironside, George Rhodes, Ben Claydon, Ben Parker, Ben Shepperson, Josh Frame, Andy Northcote (wkt), Jack Beaumont (capt), Luke Froggatt, Matt Wareing.

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