Staffordshire defeated Bedfordshire by 34 runs at Ampthill Town CC.
Staffs got their NCCA 50 Over campaign back on track with a narrow victory over Bedfordshire on bank holiday Monday. This should now give Staffs a boost as they look to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in 3 years.
James Kettleborough won the toss at Ampthill and elected to bat. He was soon at the wicket, as Staffs were reduced to 13/2 in the 7th over after Sam Kelsall was caught at fine leg attempting a hook off pace bowler Jamal Richards for 8. Matthew Morris then tamely chipped to mid off for 2 off the same bowler, and Staffs were in early danger of collapsing.
Reeve Evitts and Kettleborough then rebuilt the innings, adding 88 for the 3rd wicket as Evitts brought up his half-century off 59 balls, striking six 4s and one 6 before Archie Houghton bowled him when he attempted to slog sweep the left-arm spinner. This brought Ollie Walker to the crease, who added 93 with Kettleborough as Staffs got themselves into a strong position with 9 overs to go until Walker was caught on the long on boundary by Zaid Faleel off the bowling of Jake Tarling for a run a ball 37.
Walkers’ wicket then sparked a Staffs collapse as they looked to accelerate in the final overs. The skipper did manage to get to a well-deserved 100 before he was out in the 48th over, LBW to Tarling, for an excellent 104 made off 118 balls as he held the Staffs innings together and got them up to a competitive total in what were bowler-friendly conditions. This is where Kettleborough’s class really shines through; he is an extremely patient batsman who gives very few chances, if any. His innings only contained nine 4s and one 6. When you think of how modern-day players generally look to score the bulk of their runs in boundaries, Kettleborough is happy to accumulate steadily. His running between the wickets is also tremendous. He constantly puts pressure on the fielders inside the circle and is always looking for 2s when the ball goes into the outfield. The young Staffs batsmen could really learn a thing or two by watching their captain closely when he is at the wicket.
Staffs were bowled all out in the final over for 231. Jamal Richards bowling with good pace was the pick of the Bedfordshire attack, claiming 4/36 from 9.2 overs. He was well supported by James Anson, who claimed 3/41 off 10 and Jake Tarling 2/36 off 7.
Staffs got off to the ideal start by claiming two early wickets to reduce Bedfordshire to 22/2 in the 6th over. The introduction of left-arm spinner Tom Brett in the attack began to slow the run rate down after Bedfordshire began to get themselves back into the game. But when Matt Taylor was bowled by Ollie Walker, Bedfordshire were 97/4 at the halfway stage of the innings. Brett claimed the vital wicket of set batsman Jamal Richards when he had made 40 to leave Bedfordshire 141/5 with 15 overs to go, 7 runs later Brett added the wicket of captain George Thurstance as the game was beginning to swing in Staffordshire’s favour. The run rate was starting to climb after Brett’s miserly bowling claimed 2/22 off his 10 overs, and on a pitch where run scoring had been difficult all day, Bedfordshire’s task was starting to mount.
Reeve Evitts then returned to claim the wickets of Archie Houghton for 7 and Oscar Phillips for 13 as Bedfordshire were reduced to 193/9 before Jacob Garlick claimed the final wicket of Joe Lowe to finish Bedfordshire off for 197 with 7 balls remaining. In the end, it turned out to be a comfortable victory for Staffs, but their batting will need to improve if they want to go any further, as it is too reliant on captain Kettleborough for my liking. Evitts showcased his talents as an all-rounder with a well-made fifty and 3/46 off 9 overs in the second innings, making sure there was to be no late sting in the tail from the Bedfordshire lower order. Brett, as he always does, bowled with control; he is used more as a holding bowler in the 50-over competition rather than the attacking option when playing with the red ball. He has the ability to do both roles, such is his talent.
Staffs will now look forward to their next match against Northumberland at Jesmond on Sunday. A win there and they’ll give themselves every chance of making the knockout stages.
