Bucks skipper Tom Hampton has spoken of his side’s 2021 NCCA Trophy campaign.
This weekend Hampton takes his side to face Berkshire at Wargrave.
After losing the first two games in the competition we didn’t think we would be in a position going into the last round where if we win we would likely go through to quarter finals on run rate. I think that shows the quality in the group. I’ve been really impressed by all the teams in our group and each one has gone about it in a slightly different way. Berkshire no doubt will be a tough opponent at the weekend, but I’m confident if we can get our skills right we have a great chance. Bringing Ted (Teddie Casterton) into the squad is really pleasing he’s been playing really well for Wycombe and thoroughly deserves the opportunity and hopefully he can carry his club form into Sunday.
Bucks secured their first win of the Trophy campaign when they defeated Oxfordshire at Gerrards Cross last Sunday.
Really pleasing to get the win at the weekend, and bring us back in to the competition. Cubbo’s (Alexei Kervezee) knock was outstanding. To play that way on a tricky surface was so impressive, equally as important was Cam’s (Cameron Parsons) innings to stay with him and get us to a total that in the end was more than enough. Once we got the score on the board we were confident that our spinners could win us the game and between them they did. They bowled with good control on a surface that offered plenty of assistance and the rest of the guys backed them up in the field.
Hampton looked back on the Trophy campaign to date.
It’s been a mixed campaign really. We have batted and bowled well in periods but haven’t managed to really do both well for a prolonged period of play, which ultimately has led to 1 win from 3. I think credit needs to go to the oppositions as they have all put us under pressure, but from my point of view if we are honest we could have been better for the 100 overs especially in the first 2 games. That being said we go into the last game with a chance of progressing in the group which is exciting, and hopefully we have saved the best performance until last.
This Sunday is the last round of NCCA Trophy games before the Championship, three-day game starts seven days later.
To be honest, we haven’t really looked ahead too much to the red ball, but it’s a really important season for us. We are desperate to earn a spot back in the top division and feel we have a group of players capable of getting us there. The side will be slightly different to the white ball side which is exciting and I hope the guys who come in will bring some real energy and desire to do well.
