SUFFOLK coach Andy Brown yesterday looked ahead to more memorable times for the county's cricket team.Fighting a sore head like the rest of the Suffolk party after a night on the town on Monday night, Brown says that winning the Minor Counties Knock-Out Trophy for the first time is just the beginning.
By Elvin King
SUFFOLK coach Andy Brown yesterday looked ahead to more memorable times for the county's cricket team.
Fighting a sore head like the rest of the Suffolk party after a night on the town on Monday night, Brown says that winning the Minor Counties Knock-Out Trophy for the first time is just the beginning.
A 35-run win over a previously unbeaten Cheshire at Lord's capped an unforgettable day for Suffolk, who enjoyed a celebratory champagne reception at their London hotel before taking wives and girlfriends on to the London party scene.
“We have come a long way in the seven years I have been involved,” said Brown.
“Many of the players involved yesterday have been through a great deal of hard work since 2001.
“And I cannot see us losing any of the current squad - plus we could well have fast bowler Andrew McGarry coming back.
“The players will have more experience in 2008 and will be more of a force.”
Brown's attention to detail has helped turn Suffolk into the most professionally-run Minor Counties side.
“This helped us on Monday,” he said. “This is what Suffolk cricket is all about.
“While Cheshire sat in their hotel rooms watching football on TV on Sunday afternoon we were 100 yards away training for four hours at the Lord's indoor centre and then watching Middlesex play Kent.
“We were playing on the same wearing pitch and went into the game with an option of three spinners.
“We won the toss, played to a plan, and it worked like clockwork.
“Cheshire are a good side and the three wickets of Ben Spendlove, Nathan Dumelow and Chris Bassano were particularly big ones.”
Suffolk were fitted with suits and had special cricket kit manufactured bearing their names and numbers. And their two days in London were planned with military efficiency.
Sponsors Brooks and Wood helped with the finance, and director Keith Cracknell confirmed that his company is to be involved again next season.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here