Suffolk name 14-strong squad for Group 3 decider

May 4, 2023

SUFFOLK have named a 14-strong squad for their final NCCA T20 Group 3 double-header against Hertfordshire on Sunday.

Batters Michael Comber and Alex Oxley (both foot injuries) and all-rounder Jack Beaumont (work commitments) return after missing Monday’s matches versus Norfolk.

After making his debut the day before against Lincolnshire, wicket-keeper Connor Cobbold (pictured above) replaces Jacob Marston, who is missing due to university studies.

Suffolk must win both matches at Welwyn Garden City to stand a chance of qualifying for Finals Day, and then they will only pip Hertfordshire to top spot if they finish with a better net run rate.

What Suffolk can’t afford to do is continue to make such poor starts as they have done so far in this season’s T20 campaign.

In the abandoned fixture at home to Cambridgeshire, Suffolk were 12 for 4 off 3.5 overs; against Lincolnshire they were 9 for 4 off 3.4 overs and 13 for 2 from 2.5 overs; and in the first match versus Norfolk 19 for 3 off 4.2 overs.

It was only in the second game against Norfolk that Suffolk have built a platform at the top of the order, reaching 35 off 5.5 overs before losing their first wicket.

Head coach Andy Northcote said: “Ultimately, we have to bat better in the powerplay, and we will be taking a different approach this weekend.

“We have had the best group of players available for each game, but it has not clicked for us so far with the bat.”

“Fortunately for us, Freddie Heldreich has bowled really well, particularly in that second game against Norfolk which we won, and that’s not taking anything away from the other bowlers.

“We have generally been slow starters in T20 cricket over the years, but the back end of the second Norfolk game was the first time we have started to get things right as a collective.

“If we can carry that through for the whole 80 overs across the two matches on Sunday, we should be okay.

“Hertfordshire are strong unit with lots of experience, but like everyone else they can be beaten.”

Suffolk squad: Michael Comber, Jack Beaumont, Alex Oxley, Ben Claydon, George Rhodes, Ben Parker, Darren Ironside, Adam Mansfield (capt), Josh Cantrell, Tom Harper, Arthur Summers, Connor Cobbold (wkt), Freddie Heldreich, Dan Shanks.

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Categorised in: