East is East...
SOME well-known former firstclass players will be plying their trade in the Eastern section of the National Counties Cricket Association this summer. CHRIS TRAVERS looks at the news from the nine other counties...
BEDFORDSHIRE
Former Kent all-rounder Matt
Coles is Bedfordshire’s pro for this summer.
George Thurstance took over from Andy Reynoldson as skipper at the end of 2019, so will be keen to finally take charge of a competitive game.
James Kettleborough, who is playing in the NSSCL for Checkley, fronts the batting unit, while
Tom Brett masterminds the spin department.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Not much news emerging from Buckinghamshire.
Tom Hampton stays at the helm this season, while High Wycombe’s Elliott Callis, who has previous experience with Bedfordshire, has been registered.
Jon Burden is currently undertaking army training at Sandhurst, but should be able to feature in a few matches throughout the campaign.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE
No changes at Cambridgeshire as they look to adhere to NCCA regulations to ensure they receive full funding.
Younger players may well be given their chance as they attempt to make a mark in Division One of the Championship.
CUMBRIA
Former Durham batsman Gary Pratt continues as captain.
The loss of key spinner Toby Bulcock to Staffordshire will be keenly felt, but it provides an opportunity for more local players to make the step up.
HERTFORDSHIRE
Not much change down at Hertfordshire.
They will continue to look at younger players and mix them with some experienced heads.
LINCOLNSHIRE
The Imp county have registered former Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Surrey left-arm paceman Mark Footitt,
The former England Under-19 seamer, who toured with the senior
pictured.
side to South Africa in 2015/16, is playing his club cricket with Grantham.
Wicketkeeper Carl Wilson has been named as captain once more as Lincolnshire chase success in Division One East.
NORFOLK
Same again for Norfolk after coming agonisingly close to winning the Eastern Division in 2019 before losing a winner-takes-all clash against Staffordshire.
They meet Staffs in the Championship format again and will be under the leadership of spinner Ashley Watson once more. Ex-leicestershire keeper-batsman Tom New stays as the county’s pro for another season.
NORTHUMBERLAND
Former Durham man Michael Richardson is set to be involved again this season.
He made a positive impact in 2019 with his runs and is likely to be the mainstay of the batting.
Tapping into Durham’s Academy will also prove to be a useful resource.
SUFFOLK
Jack Beaumont takes over the captaincy from Adam Mansfield. Suffolk have Neil Dexter, formerly of Kent and Leicestershire, as their white-ball professional.
Ex-sussex batsman Joe Gatting, nephew of former England skipper Mike Gatting, is the pro in the Championship format.