Staffs turn up the heat on day one in the Suffolk sun

STAFFORDSHIRE enjoyed a productive time in the Suffolk sun on the opening day of their NCCA Championship Division One East clash.

- Chris Travers

In sweltering temperatures in East Anglia, Staffs managed to battle through with the ball as they limited their hosts to 338-9 at Copdock.

Skipper Jack Beaumont led the way for Suffolk with an excellent 154, while 17-year-old debutant Ishaan Rakesh impressed with 69.

Staffordshire’s attack toiled away manfully in the heat, with seamer Jacob Garlick being rewarded for another fine sets of spells with 4-48.

Left-arm spinner Tom Brett also had a moment to savour as he claimed his 100th wicket for Staffs on his way to figures of 3-108,

Brett, who joined the county from Bedfordshire ahead of the 2023 season, has claimed 68 of those scalps in the three-day format.

Staffordshire then had that tricky period to negotiate before the close, but they performed impressively.

Captain James Kettleborough, back in the side after missing the win at Checkley, and Matt Morris guided Staffs to 67-0 at stumps.

Beaumont had given an early indication of what could be achieved on a flat Copdock wicket earlier in the day.

And it needed the captain to lead from the front after seamer Sam Atkinson had picked up a couple of early wickets for the visitors.