Ziggy makes his return for Beds

First class county and university call ups, work commitments and student examinations mean that no fewer than nine of the county’s squad of players are unavailable.

The county though are sticking with their policy of giving youth its chance and have brought in university batsmen Alastair Craig and Greg Evans for this game.

Craig, the former Bedford Modern School captain, will be making his debut while Evans played one game a couple of seasons ago and impressed in this year’s pre-season trial game.

With Will Sneath among those unavailable, Bedfordshire have brought back Ziggy Arshad to supplement the pace attack.

On the horses for courses principle it is a good selection as Arshad took seven wickets on his debut for the county at Luton two years ago.

Chairman of selectors Pip August said: “Availability for three-day cricket is always a problem at this time of the year, but it still looks a competitive side.”

It was the possibility of some of the younger players interesting senior counties that prompted Beds to sign former professionals Steve Stubbings and Andy McGarry during the winter.

Rob Keogh and Andy Reynoldson are both playing for Northamptonshire seconds, with Keogh taking 3-11 in last week’s match with Warwickshire, while George Bacon and Ollie Swann feature for Nottinghamshire seconds.

The game against Suffolk starts at 11am on Sunday and continues on Monday and Tuesday. The selected Bedfordshire side is: Ollie Clayson, Steve Stubbings, Dan Simpson, Greg Evans, Alastair Craig, Martin Weightman, George Arblaster, Ziggy Arshad, Chris Esh, Colin Griggs, Andy McGarry.

>> Bedfordshire went out of the MCCA One-day Trophy on Sunday when rain allowed only 13 overs of play against Herefordshire at Eastnor.

The county needed a big win to stand any chance of going through from the group stages, but the match was abandoned with Herefordshire on 56-1.

Beds had struck their only blow through opening bowler Colin Griggs, courtesy of Stubbings’ catch.