Coach Northcote relishing return fixture

SUFFOLK Cricket Performance Lead Andy Northcote is already relishing next month’s return fixture versus Buckinghamshire 2^nd XI.

Northcote was in charge of the Suffolk 2^nd XI side that beat Buckinghamshire by 88 runs in the three-day fixture at High Wycombe last week.

This followed on from last year’s inaugural match between the two counties at Slough, which Suffolk won by eight wickets.

Bowlers Luke Froggatt and Dan Shanks both impressed in that match and made their debuts for the 1^st XI side soon after.

Northcote said: “All results were possible right up to the end of the match, which is exactly what you want from a three-day fixture.

“It was a very good wicket and you can chase almost anything in the last innings at High Wycombe.

“There were many positives to take from the game. Every player that was involved left having been able to identify a strength or an area of their game to work on which will benefit their development in both the short and long term.”

Opener Ollie Burle, who is still available for Suffolk U16s, top-scored with 86 off 166 balls in Suffolk’s first innings of 262 for 9 declared.

Suffolk then bowled out their hosts for 140, Tom Harper (pictured above) taking 4 for 55, Matt Clarke 3 for 15 and Jonah Handy 3 for 29.

Suffolk declared their second innings on 211 for 5, after skipper Alex Oxley (61) and Harper (56), who came together at 84 for 5, added an unbroken 127 for the sixth wicket inside 21 overs.

Buckinghamshire, requiring 334 for victory, slumped to 26 for 4 and 149 for 7, before being dismissed for 245, Harper claiming figures of 26-12-49-6 and Lewis Millions 2 for 47.

Northcote said: “Ollie Burle, who is still an U16 player, impressed, while Jonah Handy had to have remedial work on his action during the winter and has not only made the step up from 2^nd XI cricket to Mildenhall’s first team in the East Anglian Premier League, but has now played for our 2^nd XI.

“The match saw Tom Harper continue his development and he was close to being selected for the three-day NCCA Championship fixture versus Staffordshire.

“Indeed, he would have played if it wasn’t for the fact that Freddie Heldreich was available to make his red-ball debut for Suffolk.

“I am already looking forward to the return fixture at the end of August.”

The three-day match will take place at Sudbury CC, starting on Tuesday, August 31^st.

Tags: Andy Northcote, Buckinghamshire, High Wycombe, Jonah Handy, Suffolk 2nd XI, Tom Harper

Categorised in: Suffolk CCC