NCCA Counties

Norfolk CCC hosted Northumberland CCC in the NV Play National Counties Trophy and ran out comfortable 66 run winners to continue their unbeaten start to the season. Star of the show was Norfolk captain Sam Arthurton who set a new record for career centuries in the NV Play National Counties Trophy as he reached three figures for the seventh time. Arthurton had been level on six centuries with Gary Pratt, who played his last match in the competition for Cumbria in 2023, but moved into a clear lead with a match winning 119 – his 23rd century for Norfolk in all formats. Arthurton, who lifted the Trophy two years ago, reached three figures from 123 balls and took his career aggregate in the competition past 2,500 runs before he upper-cut a catch to deep cover. Arthurton shared a first wicket partnership of 107 with Freddie Fairey (33) and a third wicket stand of 110 with Alfie Cooper (45) after Northumberland had opted to bowl first. Arthurton’s innings was the centrepiece of Norfolk’s 266 for seven with three wickets from former Durham all-rounder Jonny Bushnell checking their progress in the later stages of their innings. The visitors reply didn’t really get going as they lost wickets at regular intervals and never really threatened the Norfolk total at any stage. Tight bowling and fielding from Norfolk kept the pressure on the visitors and the introduction of spin from Hamidullah Qadri (three for 28) and Cam Graveling (three for 30) distinguished any faint hopes they had. Bushnell also impressed with the bat for Northumberland (66) but he was unable to find partners to put on any meaningful partnerships. Norfolk now look forward to a trip to Woodhall Spa on Sunday as they take on Lincolnshire.