Suffolk can still qualify for T20 Finals Day
May 1, 2023SUFFOLK will head to Hertfordshire for their final NCCA T20 double-header with a chance of still qualifying for Finals Day.
A win and a defeat to Norfolk at Ipswich School on Bank Holiday Monday means Suffolk have six points from their three double-header Group 3 games so far.
Suffolk need to win both matches next Sunday to stand a chance of progressing on net run rate at the expense of their hosts, who have won four and had two fixtures washed out.
Just as against Lincolnshire on Sunday, Suffolk lost the opening match and once again struggled at the start of their innings, slumping to 19 for 3 off 4.2 overs.
Ben Parker’s 29 and 31 not out from Josh Cantrell lifted Suffolk to 109 for 7 off their 20 overs after they were put into bat.
However, Norfolk skipper Sam Arthurton and Freddie Fairey compiled an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 82 to see their side to a comfortable eight-wicket win with 13 balls to spare.
Arthurton struck 52 from 62 deliveries and Fairey a run-a-ball 37 after coming together at 30 for 2 in the fifth over. Cantrell claimed both wickets at a cost of just 15 runs.
Norfolk looked on course to complete a double-success until a batting collapse saw Suffolk sneak home by seven runs in the second match.
The home team made a more solid start after again losing the toss and being inserted, Darren Ironside moving up to open and scoring 25 off 24 deliveries.
Cantrell (pictured batting above) contributed 19 from No.6, but Suffolk’s total was given real impetus at the death as Arthur Summers struck each of the final four balls to the boundary.
The 17-year-old, who plays for Worlington, was only called into the side after Michael Comber was ruled out after being struck on the foot at Woodhall Spa on Sunday.
Summers finished 35 not out – Suffolk’s highest individual score in this season’s competition – off just 25 balls to enable the home team to post 108 for 8.
Norfolk appeared to be cruising to victory when they reached 74 for 2, before the dismissal of Fairey off the final ball of the 14th over precipitated an alarming collapse.
Arthurton fell three balls later for 40 as Norfolk lost seven wickets for the addition of 25 runs in just 37 deliveries.
Credit should be given to Suffolk’s bowlers, and their fielders, who held eight catches, but especially Freddie Heldreich (4-0-19-3) and Ben Claydon and Daniel Shanks, who took two wickets apiece.
Cantrell said: “It was a great little knock from Arthur. I think he got 35 off 25 balls which was massively important on a day when it was tough for batters all round to go and hit four fours in the last over was credit to how he has prepared for the game.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s showdown at Welwyn Garden City, Cantrell said: “Hopefully we can try and take a little bit of momentum from today through to that game and try to beat them in both and give us a chance of moving on.”
Scorecards
Tags: Arthur Summers, Freddie Heldreich, Ipswich School, Josh Cantrell, NCCA T20, Norfolk
Categorised in: Suffolk CCC