12th July 2024
| Matt Thompson
The business end of the NCCA season kicks off in earnest this weekend for Wales as they make the short trip to Herefordshire and Eastnor to open up their three day championship campaign.
After a disappointing white ball season in both T20 and 50 over competitions, Wales will be keen to hit the ground running in the format that has served them well in recent years. Had it not been for two sessions lost to rain against Cornwall last year it might have been Cam Herring’s side rather than Paul Smith’s that obtained promotion to Division 1. A record breaking first innings of 474-8 against Dorset was a small consolation alongside only one loss since the start of the 2022 season in this format which indicates a competent group, whose main flaw potentially lies in a lack of teeth to take 20 wickets.
CAPTION: Harry Friend (left) and Callum Nicholls (right) are both set to feature for Wales.
The teeth deployed to address that challenge next week lies with strapping seam bowling all-rounder Tim Moses, debutant speedster Will Moore (fresh from an Oxford UCCE victory at Lords earlier this month) and veteran seamer Richard Edwards. 29 year old, double NCCA England XI T20 European champion Edwards retired from white ball national counties cricket at the end of last season but has been coaxed into spearheading Wales’ charge for promotion. He looks set to be available across the campaign as does 20 year old Moore who makes the XI ahead of left armer Joseph Davies who continues his recovery from a broken wrist sustained at Dorset in the 50 over competition. Asim Hameed who has made handful of solid appearances this season is nursing a shoulder problem and misses out. Spin wise Wales have opted for the leg spin of Northamptonshire’s Alex Russell who will line up against his former Hereford teammates for the first time since registering back with his county of birth. He will pair up with the left arm spin of player/coach Brad Wadlan whilst Kurtis Marsh’s leg spin proved to be more than competent in this format last year as a third option.
As is always the case with national counties cricket, there is some natural evolution to sides to keep pace with the demands of average age criterias and emerging talent. Long standing leg spinner Sam Pearce and left arm seamer Jack Harding are omitted, whilst there remains a log jam in the batting department with the North Walian duo of Will Ryan and Harrison Jones (who featured across the 2023 campaign) also missing out, alongside Cian Davies and Jac Kennedy who both impressed in pre-season. Off spinner Tegid Phillips has secured a work placement this summer rendering him unavailable whilst seamer George Pritchard will no longer occupy home grown status from the end of this season. The Glamorgan pair of Henry Hurle and Ben Morris are unavailable for this round of matches due to 2nd XI Final’s Day commitments but despite their absence Wales’ remain a youthful side with an average age of 25.
On the batting front there are places for the youthful pair of Harry Friend and Callum Nicholls alongside Marsh and leading run scorer in 2024 Steff Roberts. Friend registered his maiden national counties hundred last year against the Cornish whilst Nicholls has been in scintillating form for club side St Fagans this season rattling off 441 runs at an average of 88.20 including two centuries. The engine room of the middle order is occupied by the experienced Wadlan and skipper Herring who enjoyed a career best year in the championship last time out with 369 runs @ 184.50 including a chanceless 171* against Wiltshire which is the highest individual score for a Welshman in national counties history. Milo Ayres retains his spot after a blistering final game debut last season which included 74 and 47 in each innings.
CAPTION: Milo Ayres (left) will be looking to build on his impressive debut appearance last year against Dorset, aided by skipper Cam Herring (right). Credit: CIAC Images.
Herefordshire have been forced into three changes from the side that drew against Wiltshire last week to kick off their campaign. Matt Pardoe and Nick Hammond are the notable omissions in the middle order but former Worcestershire opening batter Taylor Cornall is in line to play alongside fellow staffer Henry Cullen who rattled off a hundred of his own at Corsham last week. Wales will be keen to improve on their 6 wins -10 losses -6 draws record against their opponents who will be looking to bounce straight back up into Division 1 after being relegated at the end of 2023.
Play commences from 11am every day at Eastnor with admission free of charge. Live streaming is hoped to be available.
*Did you know Wales NC have released a documentary last week of their three day pre-season tour to Spain back in March? You can catch up with Episode 1 of Behind the Dragon here: https://youtu.be/toPmELX3l6s
Wales NC from: HLR Friend (Newport), KM Marsh (Swansea), CR Nicholls (St Fagans), SH Roberts (Swansea), BL Wadlan (Swansea), CL Herring*+ (Pontarddulais), MC Ayres (Bedminster), TH Moses (Cowbridge), RD Edwards (Neath), AK Russell (Northants CCC), WTS Moors (Swansea).
Herefordshire CCC from: T Cornall (Methley), L Powell+ (Burghill & Ombersley), J Rudge (Halesowen), B Chapman Lilley (Barnt Green), R Venkataraman (Smethwick), S Keeling-Wright (Old Hill), O Walker (Himley), H Cullen (Barnt Green), L Tulcacz (Brockhampton & Halesowen), B Clarke (Barnards Green), O Hannon (Barnards Green).
CAPTION: Wales' new documentary has been launched with Episode 1 last week, with Episode 2 due to drop halfway through the championship season.