Cruickshank in line for Suffolk debut

ALEX Cruickshank is in line to make his Suffolk debut in Sunday’s NCCA Trophy match versus Norfolk.

Cruickshank has been called-up to replace Sudbury skipper Paddy Sadler for the Group 3 fixture at Horsford CC, start 11am.

Sadler suffered a double fracture of his thumb attempting to take a return catch off his own bowling against Shropshire last Sunday and has been ruled out for several weeks.

The inclusion of 22-year-old Cruickshank is one of three changes from the sides that lost to Cheshire at Mildenhall by 81 runs on Monday, after opening their NCCA Trophy campaign with a 69-run success the day before.

Ben Parker and Andy Northcote, who stepped in as a late replacement for Sadler, drop out to allow for the return of Alex Oxley and Josh Cantrell, who were both unavailable last weekend.

Suffolk coach Northcote said: “Paddy has a double fracture and has already undergone the operation I believe which rules him out for six-to-eight weeks minimum.

“It is a real shame for both us and Sudbury as he had worked hard this winter and was coming into some form with the ball as we entered the NCCA Trophy competition.

“Alex Cruickshank makes is first appearance with the squad after a number of years learning his trade at Bury St Edmunds. Whilst it would be his debut, we are confident he will step up to fill the void Paddy has left with comfort and be able to perform.

“It’s great to have two regulars in Alex Oxley and Josh Cantrell back, as they are two fine young cricketers and the future of our county squad. Their presence was missed last weekend, although we played well in three out of four of the innings.

“Hopefully their experience will get us over the line in this important tie. It’s no more important than any other game though; there is no need to big it up to be anything other than another game we have to win to qualify out the group, which is something that we can definitely achieve.”

Suffolk squad: Darren Batch, Jack Beaumont, Alex Oxley, George Rhodes, Ben Claydon, Darren Ironside, Josh Cantrell, Adam Mansfield (capt), Tom Harper, Jacob Marston (wkt), Daniel Shanks, Alex Cruickshank.

Alex Cruickshank is pictured above in 2019 when he was 12th man against Northumberland at Bury St Edmunds.

Tags: Alex Cruickshank, Alex Oxley, Andy Northcote, Josh Cantrell, NCCA Trophy, Norfolk, Paddy Sadler

Categorised in: Suffolk CCC