Staffordshire’s first class date cancelled for the second time
STAFFORDSHIRE’S ‘Showcase’ game against Leicestershire has been called off for the second successive season.
The 50-over per side match was added to the programme in 2020 as part of a restructure of minor counties cricket, which saw the competition renamed the National Counties Cricket Association.
All 20 NCCA teams were given the chance to take on a first-class county every year until the summer of 2024.
However, last year’s fixtures were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
This year’s match was due to be played on Tuesday, July 20 at Knypersley, with an initial plan for NCCA members to host the games in order to generate revenue and provide the opportunity for local cricket supporters to see first-class players in action on their doorstep.
However, a review undertaken by the NCCA, ECB and first-class counties earlier in the summer decided that the requirements being placed on NCCA counties to host the games were both unrealistic and certain to create undue pressure on volunteer organisations.
The fixture was subsequently switched to Leicestershire’s Uptonsteel County Ground, but the game has now been cancelled due to ongoing challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
It is hoped that the two counties will be able to make it third time lucky in the 2022 season.
Staffordshire County Cricket Club chairman Phil Oliver said: “It is disappointing that we will not be able to play our Showcase game against Leicestershire this summer for the second successive year because of the pandemic.
“Every effort was made to fulfil the game, including switching venues, but unfortunately it has not been possible to go ahead with the fixture.
“I would like to thank everyone at Leicestershire County Cricket Club who has worked tirelessly to try to stage the game.
“A strong relationship has developed between the two counties and I look forward to building on that.
“Hopefully next season we will be able to play the Showcase game and also a pre-season friendly against Leicestershire to further cement the ties between the two counties.
“We wish Leicestershire all the best for the rest of the season, while from our point of view we now focus on the start of our NCCA Championship campaign later this month.”
The encounter was due to form part of Leicestershire’s warmup for the Royal London Cup campaign, which starts two days later.
Leicestershire currently have some players self-isolating, while others have just completed their required time away from the club.
Several other matches between NCCA teams and first-class counties have already been cancelled, although some are still scheduled to go ahead.
Leicestershire chief executive Sean Jarvis added: “We were really looking forward to welcoming Staffordshire to the Uptonsteel County Ground for the National Counties fixture.
“It’s disappointing that the fixture has had to be cancelled again, however our focus is to be able to stage a fixture next season.
“Both sides have been working closely together and I’d like to thank Staffordshire for their efforts in trying to keep the fixture on.
“We wish Staffordshire the best of luck in their NCCA Championship campaign.”
Staffordshire will now turn their attention to three-day Championship matters, with their season due to start on Sunday, July 25 against Lincolnshire at West Bromwich Dartmouth.
The match will be the first game under the leadership of new Championship skipper Peter Wilshaw.