Bedfordshire Goss is that they are to make one change for Staffordshire

Despite totalling 823 runs for the loss of 11 wickets in their two innings against Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire have decided to play an extra batsman in their next game.
b13-563 Bedfordshire (batting) v Buckinghamshire county cricket.

Batsman: Jamie Hewittb13-563 Bedfordshire (batting) v Buckinghamshire county cricket.

Batsman: Jamie Hewitt
b13-563 Bedfordshire (batting) v Buckinghamshire county cricket. Batsman: Jamie Hewitt

Matt Goss, who has been away at Durham University, comes into the side to play Staffordshire in the Minor Counties Championship match at Wardown Park, Luton, on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

He replaces slow left-armer Dan Vernon - the only change to the side involved in the run fest at Ampthill last week.

That match ended in a draw with Buckinghamshire scoring 518-4 in their only innings.

“It may seem strange to play another batsman rather than a bowler after the way things went at Ampthill, but we are not likely to see another game like that this season,” said chairman of the selectors Mike Archer.

“With two good left-arm spinners in Tom Brett and Andy Reynoldson, it seemed a luxury to have a third in the side.”

Vernon bowled only nine overs against Buckinghamshire while Brett sent down 32.

Even without Vernon, skipper Jamie Hewitt will be able to call on seven bowlers as the side is packed with all-rounders.

Hewitt didn’t bowl either himself or Luke Thomas against Buckinghamshire. They in fact opened the batting, Hewitt making 99 in the first innings and Thomas 82 in the second.

It is not clear where Goss will bat as every member of the top six except Alex Walker, who was unbeaten on 47 when the match ended because of bad light, went past 50 in one innings or the other, while number seven Martin Weightman hammered 123 not out in the first.

George Thurstance was Bedfordshire’s other century-maker, batting beautifully to score 121 in the second innings.

Staffordshire were also involved in a draw in their opening championship game, their last pair surviving three overs to save the match against Cumberland.

Bedfordshire: Jamie Hewitt, Luke Thomas, Alex Martin, George Thurstance, Andy Reynoldson, Matt Goss, Alex Walker, Martin Weightman, Ziggy Arshad, Afaq Babar, Tom Brett.