Clark and Pell to make Suffolk debuts

April 17, 2025

MATT Clark and Kieran Pell will make their debuts for Suffolk in Sunday’s 50-over friendly versus Bedfordshire at Bury St Edmunds CC.

Clark, who has joined Sudbury this season from Hadleigh, and Pell, who will be playing as a professional at Woolpit this summer, are included in a squad of 14 who will all feature in the match at the Victory Ground, start 11am.

While seam bowler Clark has come through the Suffolk Young Cricketers system and represented Suffolk 2nd XI, right-handed bat Pell has previously played for Leicestershire 2nd XI.

Head coach Adam Mansfield said of Pell: “He reached out to me over the winter expressing interest in getting involved, and this weekend presents a great opportunity for us to get a look at him, and for him to see how we operate. He’s young, eager to improve, and based locally.”

Clark will be joined in the bowling attack by Charlie Bennett, who made his Suffolk debut in last season’s NCCA Showcase match versus Essex Eagles at Woolpit CC. He is pictured above bowling in that match

Mansfield said: “We’re really excited about our young seam bowling group. Charlie Bennett has been featuring for Essex Second XI and is a very promising prospect. We’re hoping he’s available throughout the season, as he could play a major role for us.

“Matt Clark is another young seamer who has recently moved to Sudbury. He’s trained well over the winter, and we’re looking forward to seeing how he performs against high-quality opposition.”

George Rhodes, who will be entering his third full season as Suffolk’s professional, won’t be involved this weekend, but will be available for both the NCCA Trophy and NCCA Championship campaigns.

“It’ll be fantastic to have him back, he’s a top guy and a fantastic professional. Hopefully, the younger players can continue learning from him as he remains a key figure for us,” said Mansfield.

“Sunday offers a great chance to bring the lads back together and test ourselves against what appears to be a strong Bedfordshire side.

“I’m really excited about this group. It’s a young, local squad, which is exactly the direction we want to take. I’m hoping the lads bring the energy and passion needed to succeed at NCCA level,” he added.

Suffolk squad: Ollie Burle, Jack Beaumont, Charlie Bennett, Josh Cantrell (capt), Matt Clark, Tom Harper, Darren Ironside, Alex Maynard, Jacob Marston (wkt), Alex Oxley, Kieran Pell, Dan Shanks, Raj Singh, Matt Wareing.

 

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