Wilshaw praises Staffs' character ahead of trip to rivals Cheshire

PETE Wilshaw says Staffordshire have displayed plenty of fighting spirit in the early stages of their NCCA Twenty20 Cup programme.

- Chris Travers

Staffs went into the short format on the back of a hugely disappointing Knockout Trophy campaign which saw them fail to qualify from their group for the third successive season.

And the T20 Cup, which Staffordshire won in 2023 and reached finals day against last summer, has also presented challenges.

They were comfortably beaten in a rain-affected first game against Northumberland at Allendale - but bounced back to win the second encounter.

Staffordshire then squandered a golden opportunity to beat Shropshire in last Sunday's opening game at Burslem.

They were 92-0 off 7.3 overs in pursuit of their rivals' 182-5, but eventually fell short by one run.

However, they then recovered to win a weather-shortened five-over per side contest in the early evening to bank some reward.

Wilshaw, who is part of the coaching staff, says it has been vital to keep picking up points.

"The first few games have been ok," said Wilshaw. "We've shown some really positive things to fight back both times having lost the first game.