COUNTIES CRICKET Russell spins in for Wales at Wimborne

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Created on Sunday, 09 June 2024 03:48

Last Updated on Sunday, 09 June 2024 03:59

Published on Sunday, 09 June 2024 03:48

Written by PAUL BOLTON Cricket Correspondent

Northamptonshire leg-spinner Alex Russell has been called up by Wales NC for today’s free to see National Counties Trophy Group Four match against Dorset at Wimborne.

The 22-year-old is no stranger to National Counties cricket having played for Herefordshire from 2018 to last season, a stint that helped him to secure a contract with Northamptonshire after he was released from Gloucestershire’s academy.



Russell had a successful winter playing for Eagles in Zimbabwe’s Logan Cup first-class competition with his 37 wickets including consecutive ten wicket match hauls.

But he has yet to feature in Northamptonshire’s first team this season and Wales have registered him to give themselves an extra spin option as the seek to bounce back from last week’s defeat by Wiltshire.

Wales are missing seamer Adam Sylvester – who has Second XI commitments with Kent – and batter Tim Moses, who is unavailable. Fit-again pace bowler Joe Davies and Jude Wright replace them.

Dorset also need a win on Sunday to keep alive their already slim hopes of reaching the quarter-finals following defeats by Cheshire and Hertfordshire.

The availability of Hampshire batter/off-spinner Felix Organ should be a boost for Dorset coming just two weeks after his five wicket haul helped to spin defending champions Surrey to an innings defeat in the County Championship.

Cheshire’s match against Hertfordshire has been moved to Hyde because Alderley Edge, the intended venue, is still recovering from recent heavy rain.

Cheshire welcome back Will Evans and Andy Jackson, who will be playing on his home club ground.

Group Two leaders Norfolk host Shropshire in Group Two at Great Witchingham’s Walcis Park ground, a new National Counties venue.

Rain washed out a T20 double-header that was scheduled for the ground in April and the local club will hope for better weather this weekend at the start of their Centenary Week.

Norfolk will be without Josh Cobb, who is required for Vitality Blast duty by Worcestershire, so Northamptonshire’s Saif Zaib – a Buckinghamshire product – will again deputise as professional.

Shropshire have named the same side that was beaten by Suffolk in their Trophy opener at Shifnal last week.

The other Group Two match sees Herefordshire hosting Staffordshire at Eastnor with both sides needing a win to stay in the hunt for a quarter-final place.

Herefordshire will give a debut to Ombersley seamer Toby Cox, brother of Worcestershire’s Olly, and they have recalled former Worcestershire batter Taylor Cornall.

Staffordshire  have called up Ashcombe Park slow left-armer Anis Raza with Warwickshire Academy seamer Sam Atkinson, who was twelfth man against Norfolk last week, retained in a 12-strong squad. Hishaam Khan misses out.

Lincolnshire have included debutant Daniel Blatherwick, a cousin of Lancashire’s Jack, in their squad for Bedfordshire’s visit to Woodhall Spa in Group One.

Northumberland host Cambridgeshire at the South Northumberland club in Gosforth where Durham University batter Nikhil Gorantla will make his first appearance of the season for the hosts.

Slow left-armer Oli McGee returns to captain Northumberland.

Sussex batter Zach Lion-Cachet is available for Oxfordshire’s Group Three match against Cornwall at Banbury.

Lion-Cachet was required by Sussex last weekend when Oxfordshire suffered a heavy defeat against Devon at Sidmouth.

Oxfordshire also recall Sussex Academy batter Dylan Driscoll and seamer Seb Stuart-Reckling this weekend.

Cornwall welcome back former Kent all-rounder Alex Blake, who replaces locum professional Graham Wagg, but Chris Gibson and Mark Gribble are unavailable.

Adam Hodgson and Billy Taylor are added to the side beaten by Berkshire and Chippenham batter Jake Rowe keeps his place having made a half-century on debut last week.

Buckinghamshire give a seasonal debut to Great Brickhill all-rounder Hashan Ramandanpulle for their Group Three match against Devon at High Wycombe.

Ramandanpulle, who played two Trophy matches last season, replaces the unavailable AJ Woodland.

Devon welcome back James Horler and former Glamorgan pace bowler Kazi Szymanski who missed the victory over Oxfordshire. 

National Counties Trophy

Sunday June 9 (11am)

Group One

Woodhall Spa: Lincolnshire v Bedfordshire. South Northumberland: Northumberland v Cambridgeshire.

Group Two

Eastnor: Herefordshire v Staffordshire. Great Witchingham: Norfolk v Shropshire.

Group Three

High Wycombe: Buckinghamshire v Devon. Banbury: Oxfordshire v Cornwall.

Group Four

Hyde: Cheshire v Hertfordshire. Wimborne: Dorset v Wales NC

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