Staffordshire look to pile on runs on final day to stand chance of topping group
Staffordshire start Tuesday's final day of NCCA action at Cambridgeshire looking to pile on the runs to take the clash away from their hosts and seal a play-off spot.
The hosts' batters got the better of Staffs' bowling on day two yesterday as they replied to the visitors' opening innings of 287/8 with 335 all out.
The home side were boosted by an impressive seventh-wicket partnership of 175 between Avish Patel (73) and Ben Saunders (90) to put them in a healthier position.
Cambridgeshire had been down at 160/6 before the stand took them clear of Staffs' first innings. The home side tailed away after a decent start from openers Wayne Wright (25) and Callum Guest (48).
The visitors' Jack Batchelor claimed three early wickets on his way to 3-87 and Staffs were helped by solid bowling from Sam Atkinson, who claimed 3-32.
Staffordshire started their second innings in decent nick just before bad light brought a slightly premature end to the action on day two as skipper and opener James Kettleborough finished on 39 not out.
Matthew Morris put on 20 before he was dismissed and Atkinson (four) will begin today's action with Kettleborough at 68/1.
Staffs need to seal victory in the final three-day Eastern Division One clash - and hope Buckinghamshire lose to bottom side Lincolnshire - to top the group and qualify for the play-offs. Suffolk are currently top having already completed their four fixtures.
Bucks are responding to Lincolnshire's 308 at High Wycombe today.
