Head coach Tom Lambert names a 13 man squad for our opening NCCA T20 encounter with Hertfordshire at Wargrave CC. The game comes hot off the heels of 4 wins from 4 pre season games following Sunday’s Marlborough Cup victories against Wiltshire.
“Sunday was good, I asked for a few improvements here and there from the previous weeks games with Middlesex and I felt the boys achieved them. Once again with the ball and in the field we were competition ready for most if not all of the 40 overs we bowled. Special mention to Tommy Sturgess for his 5 wicket haul on debut, but as a unit everyone executed well again under Dan’s leadership. With the bat Dan and Johnny were outstanding and led from the front like any power play batsman in this format should. So all in all we’re happy to not only get a healthy pre season in, but to take four victories and momentum into the competitive stuff now.”
Sunday sees just one change to the 13 from the Marlborough cup as Andy Rishton returns to replace Tommy Sturgess who has commitments with Northants.
“Firstly we’re delighted Tommy will be with Northants and fully support this. It’s the priority of National Counties to provide players for the first class game and we’re pleased he’s making an impact on them. Reward for himself and Cornwall who produced him through their pathway. In the last few years we’ve been proud to see Jack Davies, Tom Scriven, Toby Albert, Jafer Chohan and Shoaib Bashir break into regular first class cricket and beyond. Along the way they’ve helped us gain much success but it will always mean more to us to see them flying the nest and achieving good things in the professional game. The spaces they leave behind can be filled by the next group of young players and I’m excited to watch them get their opportunity and express themselves in a brilliant tournament starting this Sunday. The more times a team evolves, the more successful you’re being both in terms of trophies and player production.”
Four players could be in line to make their competitive debut on Sunday as Yash Lakhani (Slough CC), Sully Akhtar (Datchet CC), Matt Dalrymple (Henley CC) and Rhys Lewis (Wargrave) are all named in the 13.
“There’s nothing better than watching young lads make their debut’s. They’ve all been excellent this winter and started pre season like a train. Myself and Dan are excited about working with them and seeing what they and the team can achieve in the next month as they follow in the foot steps of those that have gone before them. Success is their development with our help and if that development is quick, the results will look after themselves. If not, no dramas at all. We’re all looking forward it it!”