‘The supporters had travelled down to watch a game of cricket and they didn’t see one’
DAVE Cartledge insists Staffordshire must bounce back from their ‘nightmare’ performance when they wind up their NCCA Knockout Trophy Group Four campaign this weekend.
Staffs were left licking their wounds after being humbled by Dorset at West Bromwich Dartmouth last Sunday as a woeful batting performance culminated in a nine-wicket defeat.
It was one of Staffordshire’s worst-ever displays in limited overs cricket and all-but ended their hopes of claiming one of the two qualification spots.
They have lost two of their three matches – after being beaten at Wiltshire the previous weekend
– and head to play Buckinghamshire at Gerrards Cross on Sunday knowing only a miraculous set of circumstances can extend their interest in the National Counties Cricket Association competition.
Staffs were bundled out for just 115 last weekend before Dorset romped to their target.
“I still can’t believe how badly we batted,” said director of cricket Cartledge. “We had no idea and in a way it did surprise me.
“What shocked me more was there was no reaction to what was happening. There were 10 overs to go when we were bowled out and the number one rule is to use up all of your overs, even if you only get another 20 runs.
“We lost a few early wickets, but we should have still gone the distance. No-one stood up as the man to try to rescue us, although Pete Wilshaw did a bit, but he kept running out of partners.
“You have to forget about what happened and go again. I felt sorry for the people watching. The supporters had travelled down to watch a game of cricket and they didn’t see one.
“It was a nightmare really and just not good enough. This week the players have to show how they can play.”
Staffs had performed as well as they ever have done in the Twenty20 Cup earlier in the season, despite missing out on qualifying for finals day.
That left them in good spirits heading into the second block of the white-ball programme – and the 50-over format has produced some fine memories for the county in recent years.
So there is plenty of disappointment that Staffordshire – barring a miracle – won’t be looking forward to knockout games further down the line.
“Everything is measured on results. We’ve probably done the best we ever have in the T20s,” added Cartledge.
“The 50-over stuff is normally a banker for us. We are constant winners in that format of the game.
“We’ve been to semi-finals and finals and have always been there or thereabouts, but we are miles off this year.
“I am going to be judged on results and so are the players.
“We’ve got to go down to Buckinghamshire and try to win the game and finish on a little bit of a high.
“Every win is positive at this level and Bucks are probably in the same situation as us, they are playing for a little bit of pride.”
Staffordshire have made five changes to the side which was thumped last weekend.
Riki Wessels returns after being unavailable for the Dorset game, while James Cox, Toby Bulcock, Paul Byrne and Dan Richardson are all included. For Moddershall & Oulton all-rounder Richardson it will be his first Staffs appearance since playing in the Championship final in 2019 when Staffs lost by one wicket to Berkshire at Banbury.
“Richo is back fit and I saw him bowl in the development game against Cheshire on Tuesday and Wednesday and he did well,” explained Cartledge.
“Richo is Richo and he’s always desperate to be involved. He can play, although he’s probably underachieved in terms of what he’s capable of for Staffordshire.
“He can bat and score good runs and he’s also capable of taking five wickets in a game – it’s about him hitting the right areas consistently.
“Dan has done well for Modd and he’s learned from his last spell in the team.
“It’s an opportunity for him to show what he can do.”
Cartledge says that Sunday’s trip south also gives players one last opportunity to put their names in the frame for the three-day competition, which starts a week on Sunday at Bedfordshire.
“There’s a bit of extra motivation for us heading into the red-ball games after what has happened in the Trophy,” said Cartledge.
“But I don’t go anywhere not to win – so we want to win the game at Buckinghamshire first.
“It hasn’t happened for us in the 50-over games, but every time I pick a county team it’s to go out and win – there’s no harm in setting your sights high.”
STAFFORDSHIRE: Alex Mellor (cpt, Leek), Peter Wilshaw (Meakins), Jack Redman (Audley), Riki Wessels (Longton), Michael Hill (Bridgnorth), Tom Moulton (Checkley), Dan Richardson (Moddershall & Oulton), Toby Bulcock (Accrington), Paul Byrne (Meakins), James Cox (Checkley), Sam Atkinson (Moddershall & Oulton).