Much-changed side for T20 opener

SUFFOLK will field a much-changed side for their opening NCCA T20 Group 2 matches on Sunday.

There are five changes to the side that defeated Cambridgeshire in the NCCA Trophy Quarter-Finals last weekend to face the same opponents in Sunday’s double-header at Ipswich School, start 11am.

Henry Bevan (Woolpit CC) and Jack Auld (Hadleigh CC) make their debuts, while Alex Maynard, Kieran Pell (pictured above) and Freddie Cloud, who have just a handful of 1^st XI appearances between them, come into the side.

Missing from last Sunday’s side are Jack Beaumont, George Rhodes, Alex Oxley, Tom Harper and Matt Wareing.

Suffolk coach Adam Mansfield said: “We are looking to use the T20 competition as a chance to give players a chance to see what NCCA cricket is all about.

“A few lads are unavailable due to other commitments but we would also like to try a new direction with our T20 cricket and we feel now is the perfect time to do that.

“Henry Bevan is seen as a player that would suit T20 cricket and he has done well for the 2nd XI in the past so he deserves a chance to showcase his skill at a higher level.

“Jack Auld is an exciting young bowler all-rounder on our pathway. He is with Essex at the moment and we feel this is the perfect opportunity to help further his career.”

It was Bevan, in partnership with Mildenhall’s Connor Cobbold, who saw Suffolk 2^nd XI to an extraordinary one-wicket victory over Buckinghamshire 2nd XI at Sudbury CC in August 2023.

Coming together at 68 for 7 after being set 310 to win, the pair put on 229 to steer Suffolk to a memorable success. Bevan scored 126 off 101 balls with eight fours and ten sixes, with Cobbold finishing undefeated on 113.

After winning by five wickets at Burwell & Exning CC to reach the last four of the 50-over competition, Mansfield is expecting another difficult match in the shortest format of the game.

“Sunday was a really tough game. Cambridgeshire are a really strong white-ball team and I have no doubt Sunday will be tough once again,” he said.

Following Sunday’s opening game, Suffolk will travel to Bourne CC to take on Lincolnshire on Sunday, June 15^th.

They then host Norfolk at Woolpit CC a fortnight later before finishing their group games away to Hertfordshire at West Herts CC the following Sunday.

Suffolk squad: Jacob Marston (wkt), Alex Maynard, Adam Jones, Ollie Burle, Darren Ironside, Josh Cantrell (capt), Kieran Pell, Henry Bevan, Dan Shanks, Jack Auld, Freddie Cloud. 12^th man: Ishaan Rakesh.

Tags: Adam Mansfield, Alex Maynard, Cambridgeshire, Freddie Cloud, Henry Bevan, Ipswich School, Jack Auld, Kieran Pell, NCCA T20

Categorised in: Suffolk CCC