Quarter-final will be a ‘very special occasion’

June 29, 2023

ADAM Mansfield says his Suffolk side will need to be at their best if they are to reach the semi-finals of this season’s NCCA Trophy.

Suffolk face Northumberland in the quarter-finals of the 50-over competition at Sudbury CC on Sunday, start 11am.

Mansfield, who is now 31 and came out of retirement to lead Suffolk’s white-ball sides this season, said it will be a ‘very special occasion’ to captain his county on his home ground in a national quarter-final.

Suffolk, who topped Group 3 with three wins out of four, have chosen to stage the match at Sudbury, where they defeated Shropshire by 69 runs at the end of May.

Mansfield (pictured above) said: “I can’t speak for every player but we’re always well looked after at Sudbury and with it being such late notice, finding a home ground was difficult but Sudbury were happy to help.
“It’ll be a very special occasion once again. It’s always an honour to represent the county, let alone captain in a quarter-final on your home ground. I’m really looking forward to what will be a great day.”

This will be Suffolk’s fifth last-eight tie in the last six seasons the competition has been played, but they have lost three of the previous four.

Even though Suffolk will be at home against opponents who will have to travel down from the north east the night before, Mansfield doesn’t consider it gives Suffolk an edge.

“NCCA cricket is always difficult when you have a long trip on a Saturday evening, but for me it doesn’t hold any advantage. “Northumberland are a very good side and we will have to be at our best to beat them. For me it’s as simple as that, we have to worry about what we can control,” said Mansfield.

Suffolk are expected to field the same side that won by 27 runs in their final group game against Cambridgeshire at Burwell & Exning CC to confirm their place in the last eight of the competition.

Sudbury CC Chairman Louis Brooks said: “It’s fantastic and amazing that we are hosting our second Suffolk men’s county game of the season. It’s brilliant the players and the county wanted to return to Sudbury.

“We are pulling out all the stops in the short time we have to prepare but we promise all a warm welcome to Friars Street!

“Our unique feel and atmosphere will make for a memorable day and hopefully a Suffolk win! It would be great to see the ground full with all the family coming down.”

There will be an outside bar serving Nethergate beer and pizza oven from Jamie Lee Smith Catering plus burgers and chilli available plus an ice cream van at various points during the day.

The club’s Junior All Stars will be running through drills at lunchtime.

Gates will open at 10am and entry is free. There will be a £3 donation for a programme which includes a match-day scorecard.

Parking and seating are limited, so spectators are advised to park in the town but are welcome to bring an outside chair.

Suffolk: Darren Batch, Jack Beaumont, Ben Claydon, George Rhodes, Alex Oxley, Josh Cantrell, Adam Mansfield (capt), Jacob Marston (wkt), Tom Harper, Dan Shanks, Alex Cruickshank. 12th man: Ben Parker.

 

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