Suffolk are in ‘a pretty good place’

DAN Shanks says Suffolk Men’s 1^st XI are in ‘a pretty good place’ ahead of Sunday’s NCCA Dojo T20 double-header against Norfolk.

Off the back of two wins versus Lincolnshire at Hadleigh CC last Sunday, Suffolk face their old rivals at Sprowston CC, start 11am.

Norfolk sit top of Group Two with six points from four matches, while Suffolk have moved off the foot of the five-team table up to third with four from four.

Lincolnshire, who Suffolk defeated by 25 runs and nine runs respectively last Sunday, are second with six points from as many matches.

Suffolk would have been clear at the top of the group if they hadn’t been docked four points for fielding an unregistered player in the two wins away to Cambridgeshire.

Shanks, who skippered the side for the first time on his former home ground at Friars Road, said it was a ‘real team performance’ across the two matches.

He said: “After the disappointment during the week to pick up those two wins puts us back in a decent position in the group.

“Actually, if other teams look at it, we have won four out of four and they will be thinking we don’t want to play Suffolk because they are a pretty good side.

“We still have the momentum from those two games at the start, even if we don’t have the points, so I think we are in a pretty good place and are looking forward to Sunday.”

Shanks, who was impressed with the way Freddie Cloud bowled in the powerplay in the first game, also praised Tom Harper (pictured bowling above) on his return to the side after a broken finger.

“It is always good to have Harps playing and we miss him when he’s not here as he just brings real quality and real control to our spin bowling, which is fantastic.

“When you see on the teamsheet that Harps is playing, it just gives you that security because you know you will have four quality overs bowled by a really good spinner.”

Suffolk make two changes to last Sunday’s side with Josh Cantrell and Jacob Marston, who were both unavailable, returning.

Alex Oxley is unavailable, while Sudbury’s Bobby East, who kept well on his debut after being called into the side, drops out.

Suffolk: Alex Maynard, Feroze Khushi, Darren Ironside, Jacob Marston (wkt & capt), Josh Cantrell, Kieran Pell, Ollie Burle, Henry Bevan, Tom Harper, Dan Shanks, Freddie Cloud.

Tags: Dan Shanks, Freddie Cloud, Lincolnshire, NCCA Dojo T20, Norfolk, Sprowston CC, Tom Harper

Categorised in: News, Suffolk CCC