2s start with Staffs win

By Nick Brooks

Scorecard and match highlights

Cheshire 2^nd XI played their first game of the season against a Staffordshire Senior Development Squad at Macclesfield on 20 May.

On a fine day, Staffordshire won the toss and elected to bat. Miles Bradshaw and Jack Grundy opened the Cheshire bowling, both producing spells which challenged from the outset.

Bradshaw finished an impressive spell with 7-1-26-2 and the equally impressive Grundy 7-2-20-1, both bowling with good economy and creating chances. 

Will Espley and Brad Porter were introduced into the attack, Espley building good rhythm and Porter producing some excellent deliveries and picking up 2 important wickets. 

Skipper Andy Dufty then turned to spin, with left-arm spinners Daniel Wilson and Isaac Brooks combining effectively at a key stage of the innings, settling into spells combining economy with wickets, Wilson finishing with 2 wickets (9.1-0-44-2) and Brooks picking up 3 (8-0-36-3), including the wicket of Rohan Vallabhaneni, who contributed a well-constructed 74. 

Staffordshire were eventually all out for 191, with further contributions from Niall McHale (38), Sam Atkinson (25) and some clean hitting from Edward Batchelor (20 off 17 deliveries).

Cheshire opener Henry Murray started positively, playing a range of attacking strokes in compiling an impressive 69 from 57 deliveries. Jack Massey provided effective support, contributing an important 40 runs, with skipper Dufty finishing on 20 not out to see Cheshire to a 5 wicket win after some testing Staffordshire bowling. Niall McHale was the pick with an excellent 6-0-24-4.

The game was an excellent season opener and foundation for upcoming fixtures. 

Finally, thank you to the umpires, scorers and Macclesfield cricket club for their excellent welcome and hosting throughout the day.