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| > Staffordshire CCC v Suffolk CCC Match Report |
For the first time since the inception of three day championship cricket, Staffordshire lost an entire match when the game at Knypersley against Suffolk was called off at 11.15am on the final morning. Preparations had been made for a one innings match to take place after the first two days had been washed out, but a further rain shower around the scheduled start time led to the game being finally called off.
Captain Paul Goodwin admitted, “It has been a frustrating three days. In the end the weather has beaten us. It is all credit to the ground staff for a fantastic effort to get the pitch playable but that little drizzle we have had this morning has prevented us from getting on.”
With just six points being gained for the draw, Goodwin conceded, “Winning the title is going to be difficult now. With just two games to go it is going to be nigh on impossible to come out on top.”
Despite his disappointment Goodwin was adamant the season was far from over adding, “It is all about finishing strongly. We have two big games to play against Northumberland and Buckinghamshire, who will both have all to play for and it is up to us to make sure we are positive and give them a good game. It is another chance for our young players to gain more experience. “
Player coach Kim Barnett added, “We were keen to play and have appreciated the efforts made to get the game on. We have now lost four out of six days at home this season and that is a lot out of a six match programme. There is not a lot we can do about it but it is disappointing as we are particularly strong at home. We will now look to finish the season on a high.”
The total washout was a bitter disappointment for Dan Hancock who would have made his first appearance for the county if the game had started and Goodwin conceded, “It is tough on him bit hopefully his chance will come again.” The 22 year-old, who is a member of the Staffordshire Development squad who played against Warwickshire and Cheshire recently had to make a hurried change to his travel arrangements, after being scheduled to fly to Cyprus for his sister’s wedding. His efforts meant a switch of flight from the Sunday to the Wednesday. The Little Stoke player was philosophical after wryly commenting, “I could have had a couple of days on a sun bed by now rather that watching the rain fall here.” He continued, “It happens. There is not a lot you can do about the weather. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to play for the county. It has been my target for a couple of years now. This is definitely where I want to be playing.
The heavy rain which caused the abandonment of the opening days play in Staffordshire’s scheduled Minor Counties fixture against Suffolk at Knypersley and continued well into the night, meant no play could be possible before lunch on the second morning. The extensive mopping up operations in an attempt to get play under way during the afternoon, were thwarted by a sharp hail storm before lunch, which further flooded the already sodden ground and meant for a second day play was washed out.
Speaking about the absence of opening bat Peter Wilshaw who was sent home from the ground on the opening day and was subsequently diagnosed with swine flu, Goodwin commented, “He obviously wasn’t well. It makes life difficult to try and get someone at such short notice. Fortunately we managed to get Danny Brierley in, who has performed fantastically in the league this season. It is a chance for him to get back in the fold.”
Continuing about the loss of Wilshaw he added, “He is one of our main batters, particularly as we have got quite a young inexperienced team. It is important for us to have players with Pete’s experience in the side. Hopefully he will be recovered in time for our next game in a couple of weeks. “
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