a day ago
Metcalf back as Norfolk face Cambs in T20 clashes
Ethan Metcalf, who returns to the Norfolk side for the two T20s against Cambridgeshire (Image: Adam Pryke)
It's all to play for when Norfolk host East Anglian rivals Cambridgeshire in two T20 games at Sprowston CC on Sunday.
Norfolk will be looking to win the group while Cambridgeshire are trying to qualify for the Super 12s. Norfolk head Group 2 with 10 points out of a possible 12 following two superb victories against Suffolk at Woolpit last week. Suffolk are second on eight points and Cambridgeshire are joint third with Hertfordshire on six.
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The group winners will host two other teams in the Super 12s on August 3.
Norfolk produced two top class performances last Sunday to blow away a strong Suffolk side. In the first game they set a record Norfolk T20 total of 219-6, in which Freddie Fairey became the first Norfolk batter to record a century in the competition. They backed that up with a brilliant display in the field as they restricted the home side to 148-7.
In the second match, there was another fine display in the field to support some tight bowling as Suffolk were restricted to 137-4, which was below par on the excellent Woolpit wicket. Norfolk cantered to victory for the loss of just two wickets in the 15th over.
Nottinghamshire's Sammy King, who produced two brilliant unbeaten innings of 52 and 60, is unavailable as he is in the Outlaws first team squad for the T20 Blast. This paves the way for the return of Ethan Metcalf, who has completed his medical exams. Also back in the side is wicketkeeper batsman Charlie Hood, who was unavailable for the Suffolk matches. Alfie Cooper is unavailable.
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After an indifferent start to their T20 campaign which saw them win just one of their first four games, Cambridgeshire had two wins at Exning over Lincolnshire last Sunday and now have a realistic chance of qualifying if the results go their way.
They are always formidable opponents and have strength in depth. Nikhil Gorantla, who has been playing for Surrey II over the last two weeks, is in the squad along with former Leicestershire and Lancashire all-rounder Wayne White. They are captained by Sawston and Babraham's Callum Guest.
Norfolk's head coach Tom New said: "It was a tremendous performance by the boys at Woolpit, and I thought we looked a proper side. We were excellent in all three disciplines and are hoping for the same again on Sunday.
"It is good to welcome back Ethan and Charlie, who are both valuable members of the squad. There is nobody better than Charlie with the gloves outside first-class cricket.'
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The first game starts at 11am with the second at 2.30pm. Admission to the ground is free.
Norfolk: Sam Arthurton (cpt), Freddie Fairey, Ben Wilcox, Ethan Metcalf, Charlie Hood, Arthur Wilcox, Hami Qadri, Joe Everett, Callum Metcalf, Brett Stolworthy, Andy Hanby.
Cambridgeshire: Ben Claydon, Yousuf Choudhary, Henry Wilson, Nikhil Gorantla, Wayne White, Will Routledge, Lee Thomason (wkt), Callum Guest (cpt), Ben Saunders, James Sykes, George Darlow, Matthew Rees.
