Bedfordshire test out Twenty20 format against Hertfordshire

James KettleboroughJames Kettleborough
James Kettleborough
Bedfordshire break new ground by staging a Twenty20 match against local rivals Hertfordshire at Flitwick CC on Friday evening.

A Twenty20 competition is to be organised by the Minor Counties Cricket Association next season and Bedfordshire, whose next Unicorns Championship match is not until July 6, are taking the opportunity to gauge its likely popularity amongst the community.

Chairman Ian Smith said: “We are hoping for a good crowd because cricket watchers are keen on this form of the game.

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“We are also putting on a match between the two counties’ U13 teams so it is going to be a real festival of cricket.”

The main game starts at 5.30 pm with the youngsters in action from 1pm. Last year’s captain Jamie Hewitt, 
now coach to Middlesex II makes his first appearance of the season.

Opening batsman James Kettleborough has been given permission by Northamptonshire to play.

It is also intended to give a run-out to batsman Dan Blacktopp, who joined Bedfordshire from Hertfordshire this season but has out of action by an ankle injury.

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Beds have also included several local players, with Sam and Luke Cherry, Chris Esh and Shabbz Hussain all in the side.

The selected Bedfordshire side is: Andy Reynoldson, Jamie Hewitt, James Kettleborough, Dan Blacktopp, George Thurstance, Alex Martin, Jon Carpenter, Shabbz Hussain, Sam Cherry, Luke Cherry, Chris Esh.

Bedfordshire should also have been playing a Championship match against Norfolk this weekend but this match has been put back to July 27 so it can be incorporated into the opposition’s festival week.

The county launched a protest as they feel it is unfair for after having gone a month without a game, they will then find themselves having to play three matches on successive weekends which will inevitably lead to problems with availability.

The MCCA committee ruled in favour of Norfolk and the date stands.

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