Jones to skipper Suffolk for first time

ADAM Jones will skipper Suffolk for the first time in Sunday’s NCCA T20 competition double-header versus Norfolk.

Jones, who had appeared for Suffolk just once in both the NCCA Trophy and Championship prior to the start of this season, will lead Suffolk in the Group 2 games at Woolpit CC, start 11am.

He takes over from Josh Cantrell, who is one of three players not available from the side that made it four wins from four in the T20s with two victories over Lincolnshire a fortnight ago.

Ollie Burle and Freddie Cloud are also missing, with Ben Parker and Alex Cruickshank coming into the side for the first time this summer alongside Tom Harper, who has so far only featured in the NCCA Trophy XI.

Coach Adam Mansfield said: “We’re missing all three players for various reasons, but I’m confident in the replacements we’ve brought in. They’re more than capable and fully deserve their opportunity.

“Adam Jones will captain the side. He has an excellent cricket brain and is the ideal replacement for Josh. Adam is currently the leading run-scorer in the EAPL and has already led the Suffolk 2nd XI with great maturity. I have full confidence in his leadership.”

The Sudbury batter, who scored his maiden fifty for Suffolk against Cambridgeshire at Ipswich School in the opening T20 fixture, has cemented his starting spot in Suffolk’s white-ball sides this season.

Jones (pictured above) will be able to call on 28-year-old seamer Arafat Bhuiyan, who played five first-class matches for Kent before leaving at the end of last season and made his Suffolk debut in the double-win at Bourne CC.

“It’s fantastic to have Arafat on board. With his first-class experience, he’s been brilliant with the younger players and brings real quality to our bowling attack.

“He’s eager to contribute and make a strong impact,” enthused Mansfield, who confirmed Alex Maynard will continue behind the stumps instead of Jacob Marston.

“Alex will continue as our wicketkeeper for the T20s. He’s a high-quality keeper and brings great energy to the team. Jacob also kept superbly in Sunday’s semi-final, so having two top-class keepers in the squad is a real asset,” he said.

One win on Sunday should confirm Suffolk’s spot in this season’s Super 12s, with fixtures away to Hertfordshire still to come.

After failing to win any of their fixtures last season, Mansfield said: “I’m incredibly proud of how the squad has performed in the T20 competition so far.

“I’m not sure many would have believed me if I’d said we’d win our first four games, but the players are hungry to succeed and determined to prove they belong at the NCCA level. It’s also creating healthy competition for places.”

Opponents Norfolk are also well-placed to qualify and Mansfield added: “Norfolk are an excellent white-ball side. They won last year’s 50-over competition and have three wins from four in this year’s T20s.

“It promises to be a cracking game, and I hope Woolpit turns out in full force to create a great atmosphere for the players.”

Suffolk squad: Alex Maynard (wkt), Jacob Marston, Adam Jones (capt), Kieran Pell, Darren Ironside, Ben Parker, Tom Harper, Henry Bevan, Dan Shanks, Alex Cruickshank, Arafat Bhuiyan. 12^th man: Ned Overbury.

Tags: Adam Jones, Alex Maynard, Arafat Bhuiyan, NCCA T20, Norfolk, Woolpit CC

Categorised in: Suffolk CCC