County must win to avoid a bottom place finish

Their task has not been made any easier by the fact that three of their players are required by Northamptonshire to play in a friendly second team game.

James Kettleborough and Rob Keogh are contracted to Northamptonshire, who also want to have another look at young paceman Aftak Barbar who impressed on his debut for Bedfordshire in their last match with Buckinghamshire, taking a wicket with his first ball.

With Dan Bendon also ruled out, Bedfordshire have recalled Will Sneath, Dan Simpson and Chris Esh, while Ampthill batsman Matt Goss, who made one appearance last season, is given another opportunity.

It’s going to be a tough ask for Bedfordshire because Norfolk are still in with a shot of winning the Eastern Division title, but the selectors have stuck to their guns and persisted with youth – the average age of the side being 22.

It is the senior players though, who will carry the responsibility of scoring most of the runs.

Professional Steve Stubbings rose to the occasion against Buckinghamshire, scoring a magnificent cenbury before being forced to retire after being hit in the eye, and it is to be hoped that he can maintain this sort of form.

Skipper Oliver Clayson is also due a big score, while Sneath is likely to have to do the brunt of the bowling,

The match continues at Wardown Park on Monday and Tuesday and the selected Bedfordshire side is: Oliver Clayson, Steve Stubbings, Dan Simpson, George Thurstance, Andy Reynoldson, Martin Weightman, Matt Goss, Chris Esh, James Kerr, Colin Griggs, Will Sneath.