CAPTAIN KETTS IS FEELING THE PAIN

JAMES Kettleborough says Staffordshire's players must take a long, hard look at themselves as they prepare for their next block of NCCA fixtures.

- Chris Travers

Staffs kick off their Twenty20 Cup campaign this weekend with a Group One double header against Northumberland at Allendale.

The T20 format has provided some rich pickings for the county over the past couple of seasons.

They won the competition for the first time in their history in 2023 and reached finals day last summer.

However, Staffordshire will head into this season's short format on the back of a hugely disappointing Knockout Trophy programme.

A run of three successive defeats after an opening round victory over Herefordshire - saw them eliminated from the group stage for the third straight campaign.

That's hardly the ideal preparation ahead of a long trip north this weekend - and captain Kettleborough insists there has to be plenty of self-reflection from the squad as they look to recover from a confidence-sapping Trophy experience.

He hammered home that point to his players after Sunday's eight-wicket thumping at Norfolk, which ensured their 50-over season ended in dismal fashion.

"We spoke after the match and said that individually we need to reflect on our performances and attitude and ask questions of ourselves," said Kettleborough.