Staffs rise to T20 Cup occasion to book home draw

STAFFORDSHIRE continued their impressive recent form in the NCCA Twenty20 Cup by booking their place in the Super 12s stage of this year’s competition.

- 

Staffs won the cup in 2023 and also reached finals day last summer... and took another step towards a third successive appearance in the showpiece by qualifying from Group One.

Staffordshire went into their final double header against Cumbria at Wolverhampton needing just a solitary point to secure a coveted top-three spot.

And it was mission accomplished without bowling a ball as the inclement weather saw the opening encounter abandoned to give Staffs the point they requited.

They then rounded off the day in winning fashion by securing a 47-run victory in game two to make it four straight wins from completed matches.

Totopofftheday, Northumberland’s double defeat at Cheshire meant Staffs topped the standings and will have home advantage in the Super 12s.

Their opponents will be confirmed in the coming days.

Staffordshire were invited to bat by Cumbria, with the visitors having already sealed their spot in the Super 12s section.

And they managed to make their way to 181-3 from their 20 overs, centred around half-centuries from Reeve Evitts (76no) and captain James Kettleborough (61no).