2nd May 2025
| Matt Thompson
It’s early in the season to be calling a weekend ‘pivotal’ but after last Sunday’s heavy defeat to Dorset it isn’t inaccurate to suggest as such (https://cricketwales.org.uk/news/weekend-roundup-of-pinnacle-teams). With the NCCA shifting the One Day Trophy to the front of the fixture calendar this year, Cam Herring’s side face back to back games on Sunday and Monday hosting Hertfordshire before heading down to Wiltshire immediately after.
Come the end of Monday they will be either be in the hunt for a quarter final spot or they won’t be prior to a long drive to Cheshire in the final group stage game. To be in the mix they will need to win at least one of this weekend’s games (preferably both) and even that may not be enough depending how other results pan out. Hertfordshire upsetting Cheshire last week perhaps shouldn’t be seen as a surprise given there are no weak teams at national counties level, but the manner in which they did so – a thumping 10 wicket victory after bowling the defending champions out for 68 – sent a clear message that they mean business this year.
CAPTION: Will Smale (pictured) will line up again for Wales on Sunday looking to help the team notch a win in their NCCA One Day Trophy group. Credit: CIAC Images
Wales will need to draw upon last year’s performance at Hitchin on Sunday where Henry Hurle (73), Steff Roberts (62), Ben Morris (3-34) and Brad Wadlan (3-33) setup a 76 run win. Player/Coach Wadlan names much of the side from last week’s result against Dorset with three changes – Milo Ayres and Zac Le Riche (unavailable) drop out of the squad with Romano Franco coming into the side alongside Glamorgan academy batter Jack Hope-Bell who makes a competitive NCCA debut. Left arm seamer Joseph Davies replaces Ollie Sherwood who is rested for the following day. Rookie contracted batter Callum Nicholls continues to recover from a back spasm that ruled him out of last week. Former Essex and England U19 seamer Jack Plom leads the Herts attack with skipper Ben Waring a constant threat with his left arm spin.
Monday’s trip to Wiltshire sees Wales test their depth as they are without any Glamorgan assistance given the 2nd XI trip to Lancashire. Even the most maintained archives would need to be scoured thoroughly for the last time four North Walians were in a Wales XI, but that is the case at Warminster. St Asaph captain Will Ryan slots into the middle order to replace Henry Hurle, Romano Franco keeps his place whilst there are competitive NCCA debuts for Northop Hall’s Jac Kennedy and Brymbo’s Joe Norman.
Opening batter Kennedy (22) impressed during 2024 pre-season tour last year and has the temperament to fulfil a role at the top of the order whilst seamer Norman (22) has impressed North Head Coach Chris Stead enough to be given an opportunity. Joseph Davies drops out of the side for Monday but there is a return to the side for all rounder Tegid Phillis who enjoyed a productive winter down under recently. Wiltshire’s side is not yet known but is sure to be led by veteran all rounder Ed Young with Jake Goodwin and Joe King the experienced campaigners from years gone by.
CAPTION: Jac Kennedy completed a move back to his home club of Northop Hall from Northern this season. He impressed in La Manga during Wales NC's tour in 2024.
Play commences from 11am on both days, with admittance free. Live streaming will be available via the Cricket Wales YouTube channel on Sunday and Wiltshire channels on Monday.
Wales NC v Hertfordshire from: WT Smale (Newport), HLR Friend (Newport), HE Hurle+ (Cardiff), JI Hope-Bell (Newport), BL Wadlan (Penzance), CL Herring* (Pontarddulais), RJ Lewis (St Fagans), RCM Franco (Northop), AK Russell (Bridgwater), JA Davies (Bridgend), BJ Morris (Abergavenny), OJ Sherwood (St Fagans).
Hertfordshire CCC from: Dominic Chatfield (Radlett), Archie Harrison (Radlett), Callum Taylor (West Herts), Nafis Shaikh (West Herts), Ben Clifford (Chelmsford), Andrew Neal (Harpenden), James Southgate (East Molesey), Jack Plom (Belhus), Benji Cowell+ (Hertford), Chinmay Mullapudi (Shepherds Bush), Ben Waring* (Chelmsford), Cole Seggery (West Herts).
Wales NC v Wiltshire from: J Kennedy (Northop Hall), HLR Friend (Newport), BL Wadlan (Penzance), WL Ryan (St Asaph), CL Herring*+ (Pontarddulais), RJ Lewis (St Fagans), TD Phillips (Cardiff), RCM Franco (Northop), AK Russell (Bridgwater), OJ Sherwood (St Fagans), JE Norman ( Brymbo), H Caldicott (Newport).
Wiltshire CCC from: Team unknown at present.