Former national inter county Federation winners Northants begin their Adams Cup campaign on Saturday (June 1) with the visit of defending champions Suffolk to the Blackstones green in Stamford (2pm).
It has been a difficult build up for Northants captain Jonathan Earl with several of his first-choice players either on holiday or committed elsewhere. But he is confident, with home advantage, the county can put a dent in their visitors’ aspirations.
Among those recalled to the team are Trevor Smith (Blackstones) and Brian Martin & Howard Shipp (Parkway) while Wittering’s Ally McNaughton (Wittering) makes his debut alongside Earl.
The team is: Brian Martin (Parkway), Stephen Harris & Martyn Dolby (both Blackstones); Steve Roden (Whittlesey Manor), Tom Fielding (Blackstones) , Lee Welsford (Whittlesey Manor); John Holroyd (Stamford Town), Graham Agger & Martin Welsford (both Whittlesey Manor); Howard Shipp (Parkway), Paul Bailey & Adam Warrington (both Blackstones); Bob Warters (Ketton), Mick Humphreys & Paul Buckley (both Blackstones); Trevor Smith (Blackstones), Ally McNaughton (Wittering), Jon Earl (Blackstones).
The Northants Newton Trophy side host 2018 champions Suffolk simultaneously at City of Peterborough BC (2pm) hoping to recover some pride from last week’s home defeat by North Cambs.
