Kettleborough hopes new format can provide upturn

JAMES Kettleborough had plenty to mull over as he undertook the 200-mile drive from Norfolk on Sunday night.

- Chris Travers

The Staffordshire captain had just seen his side be outplayed in all disciplines on their way to an eight-wicket defeat by the East Anglians on the outskirts of Norwich.

That put paid to the extremely slim chance Staffs had of qualifying from Group Two of the NCCA Knockout Trophy.

But the fact a miracle didn't happen in terms of qualification was the least of Kettleborough's concerns as he travelled back from Sprowston.

The manner of Staffs' defeat would have been more alarming for Kettleborough as their 50-over hopes were ended at the group stage for the third successive season.

Staffs had actually started this year's campaign brightly when they beat Herefordshire, but they were then on the wrong end of a high-scoring encounter against Suffolk.

A comprehensive defeat followed at Shropshire before the programme finished in dismal fashion with another poor performance at Norfolk.

The three-and-a-half hour drive back would normally be a bit of a drag, but given the amount of thoughts running through his head, it might not have been enough time for Kettleborough to find all the answers.