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Staffs can't force victory in Herts

Staffordshire were left to ponder what might have been after their Unicorns Championship clash at Hertfordshire petered out into a draw.

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A flat pitch at Bishop Stortford meant it would always be difficult for either team to force a result, though Staffs travelled home last night reflecting on two moments when they almost seized momentum only to quickly lose it.

The first came on the opening morning when the hosts were able to wriggle out of a disastrous positions at 94-8 and then 127-9 in their first innings to eventually post a respectable 233, thanks in no small part to a final wicket stand of 106 between Syed Kazmi (88) and Abhishek Kulkarni.

When Staffs responded with a Michael Hill (171) inspired 323 to take a 90-run first innings, Hertfordshire skipper Tanvir Sikander hit a masterful 188 to anchor his side's second innings.

The hosts were eventually all out for 383 with every Staffordshire fielder, with the exception of wicketkeeper James Middleton, taking a turn to bowl. It was the first time Staffs had used ten bowlers in an innings since 1992.

Staffordshire team manager Kevin O'Connell said: "The general feeling was we were the better side but the draw was always going to be most likely result.

"On the first day the pitch was a little damp but once the sun had come out it was a very good batting track.

"We had them 94-8 and then 127-9. Had we got the last pair out quickly we probably would have won the game."

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