Preview: Staffordshire v Warwickshire, National Counties 50-Over

Warwickshire begin their Metro Bank One Day Cup preparations on Sunday with a warm-up 50-over match at National Counties side Staffordshire.

Bears will take a strong side to Knypersley CC, in north Staffordshire, for the first game between the two sides at senior level since 2002.

It’s a chance for First Team Coach Mark Robinson to fine tune his plans ahead of the One Day Cup opener at Essex on 24 July.

The hosts beat Leicestershire – who went on to win the Metro Bank Cup – in last season’s National Counties showcase match so Robinson know his side will be in for a stern test.

He said: “These games help foster relationships between National Counties and professional clubs and take us out to some hidden gem grounds across the region.

“It’ll be a lovely occasion at Knypersley. I believe it’s the first time Warwickshire have played there and I have no doubt Staffordshire will be tough opponents.

“It’s an opportunity to put our One Day plans into practice and for some players who’ve not been involved in the T20 Blast recently to get match sharpness.”

Rob Yates – who played for Staffordshire as a teenager – is among the players expected to be involved in the game which gets underway at 11am.

Olly Hannon-Dalby and Ed Barnard – the leading wicket taker and run scorer in last year’s One Day Cup, respectively – former captain Will Rhodes, and ‘keeper Michael Burgess are also in line to play.

The Staffordshire side is expected to include captain James Kettleborough (pic), who’s played for Northamptonshire and Glamorgan, plus ex-Lancashire bowler Liam Hurt.

Sunday will also be a homecoming for Bears batting coach Tony Frost who played his formative cricket at Knypersley – and was in Staffordshire’s youth system – before joining Warwickshire as an 18-year-old in 1994.

He said: “My dad played for Knypersley and was also a wicketkeeper for Staffordshire. I used to go down and watch him play. I was down the club all the time. Basically I grew up there so I have some very happy memories.

“It’s a good club and there are some very good people there. Everything I can remember about Knypersley is very positive.

“Sunday is a chance for some of the young Staffordshire lads to impress. If you take wickets or score runs then you are always putting yourself in the frame and counties are always on the lookout for good young players.”

Bears’ trip to Chelmsford on 24 July is the first of three games on the road. They visit Leicestershire (26 July) and Sussex (28 July) before heading to Rugby School on Friday 2 August where Surrey are the visitors.

It’s the first time in almost a decade that Warwickshire has played a senior game at an out-ground away from Edgbaston.

Around 2,500 tickets have been issued for the game but tickets are still available.

Bears will take to the field at Knypersley wearing the Club’s new One Day Cup kit which was launched earlier this month.

The graffiti art-inspired shirt continues the popular styling of recent T20 Vitality Blast seasons but in a fresh two-tone blue design.

It’s available now in the Club’s Store 94 in adult sizes from Small to 3XL and junior from aged five to 14.

Squad

Taz Ali
Ed Barnard
Edward Batchelor
Michael Booth
Michael Burgess
Olly Hannon-Dalby
Jake Lintott
Will Rhodes
Hamza Shaikh
Che Simmons
Kai Smith
Theo Wylie
Rob Yates

How to follow

Members and supporters can follow the match live in our Match Centre at edgbaston.com.

Match updates will also be available across the Club’s social media accounts, simply search for @WarwickshireCCC.