Inexperienced side to face Essex 2nd XI

April 22, 2026

AN inexperienced Suffolk Men’s 1st XI side will face Essex 2nd XI in a pre-season friendly at Ipswich CC on Sunday.

James Bridges, who has joined Copdock & Old Ipswichian this season, is handed his debut in a side that contains two former first-class players.

Feroze Khushi will be playing his first match as Suffolk’s professional after taking over from George Rhodes, while Freddie Heldreich is available following his release from Northamptonshire.

Both have played for Suffolk before, but are included in a 13-strong squad that contains several players with limited first-team experience.

Ishaan Rakesh, Henry Bevan, Jack Auld, Ben Whittaker and Freddie Cloud have just a smattering of first-team appearances between them, but have all graduated from the county’s age group system.

They get their chances as several established players are unavailable; Jack Beaumont is playing for Sawston in the National Cup, Dan Shanks is running a marathon, Matt Wareing and Tom Harper are both injured and Alex Oxley is unavailable.

Suffolk Men’s 1st XI Head Coach Adam Mansfield said: “Yes, it’s a relatively young side, and it’s a great early-season opportunity for these players to stake a claim for places in the Trophy XI, especially against strong opposition.”

Bridges claimed figures of 7-0-24-5 as Copdock & OI bowled out hosts Downham Stow for 171 on their way to a nine-wicket win in which Rakesh (pictured above) made an undefeated 62.

Mansfield said: “James Bridges joined Copdock during the off-season. He’s a fast bowler and someone we’re keen to take a closer look at.

“He’s started the league season very well, taking five wickets last weekend, so it’s a good opportunity to see him in action at this level.”

Of the two former first-class players in the side Mansfield said: “This will be Feroze’s first game as Suffolk’s professional.

“He’s a quality player who comes into the match in good form, having recently scored a century for SACA against a strong Kent 2nd XI. Hopefully, he can bring confidence and belief to the group.

“We’re hopeful that Freddie Heldreich will be available across all formats this summer. It’s great to have him back playing in Suffolk with Bury St Edmunds.

“His experience of the first-class game will be invaluable, particularly in helping to guide and develop some of the younger players.”

This will be the first time that Suffolk 1st XI have played a match at Clay Hall. The Women’s 1st XI will be simultaneously be playing on the second pitch in their Vitality T20 County Cup first-round fixture versus Buckinghamshire. Both matches start at 11am.

Suffolk Men’s 1st XI squad: Ollie Burle Ishaan Rakesh, Freoze Khushi, Darren Ironside, Josh Cantrell (capt), Kieran Pell, Jacob Marston (wkt), Freddie Heldreich, Henry Bevan, Jack Auld, Ben Whittaker, Freddie Cloud, James Bridges.

 

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