By ELVIN KING

CAPTAIN Fantastic Phil Caley will be the proudest man in Suffolk if he can lead the county to success over Cheshire in the Minor Counties Championship cricket play-off.

Caley played his first Suffolk match in 1982, and he is looking forward to leading from the front having a wonderful batting record at Ransomes sports ground, Sidegate Avenue, Ipswich.

Caley, who has committed himself to carry on as captain in 2006, could play a big part as Suffolk look to add to their Minor County trophy wins in 1946, 1977 and 1979.

Caley scored a century when Suffolk beat Buckinghamshire inside two days at Ransomes while on their way to win this season’s Eastern Division.

And a few years ago he scored a ton in both innings at the same ground.

Caley said today: “I would be the proudest and happiest man in Suffolk if we can beat Cheshire. It would be very satisfying after all the hard work that has gone in over the years.

“This side is probably the best one overall I have played in for Suffolk, and it deserves success. Cheshire have a better record than us having gone through their Western Division season unbeaten.

“But we won more matches than them, and have every chance.

“We got close to winning the Knock-Out Cup in the previous two seasons, but winning the Championship is more of an achievement.

“It rewards work over three-day matches for the whole summer and is a reward for consistency, whereas there can be an element of luck in the one-day game.

“We must now ensure that we put it together over the next three days.”

Caley says that every player has contributed over the season, and he is particularly impressed with his bowling attack.

Caley added: “In my early Suffolk days I played with Colin Rutterford, Russell Green, Richard Robinson and Peter Hayes and they were four excellent seamers.

“But this year we have the best quartet I have known at one time for the county. We did not have an experienced spinner in my young days but now we have Chris Swallow to back the seamers up.

“Our batters have all contributed at some stage, but have not been able to perform as well as the likes of Simon Clements, Justin Edrich, Paul Rice and Roger Howlett did in my early days.

“But overall it is the best Suffolk side for a couple of decades.”

Caley’s love affair with Ransomes extends to the backing his team receives at the Ipswich ground. And he is looking for supporters to play their part.

“This is one of the reasons we chose Ransomes,” said Caley. “We attract bigger crowds there and our supporters, particularly tomorrow, can give us a lift.”

Caley expressed slight doubts about carrying on next year following the withdrawal of a Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy incentive for Minor County teams.

But he confirmed today: “Being without Suffolk cricket would leave a big hole in my life. I have enjoyed it immensely this year, and if chairman Norman Atkins invites me to continue then I will.”

Atkins and the backroom team have been heavily involved in preparations for this Biffa Waste Services- sponsored match.

Atkins said: “This should be an excellent climax to a great season. With good weather it should be an outstanding game.

“There is a lot going on in Suffolk cricket, and coaching that is going on lower down the scale will hopefully lead to similar success for the senior side in the future.”

Ray Forsdike has been looking after Ransomes’ wickets for 38 years and this is the third play-off strip he has prepared having been in charge when Suffolk were involved in 1977 and 1979.

His wickets have come in for plenty of praise and he has been working hard on this pitch to produce another belter.

Spectators will be able to watch free for all of the three days with play starting at 11.0 tomorrow, Monday and Tuesday. There is ample free car parking inside the ground.

Instead of a maximum of 90 overs per side in the first innings there will be a limit of 70 in this play-off in an attempt to gain a result.

Both sides will receive their divisional pennants before the start of play tomorrow, with the trophy for the overall winners being presented at the end of the game.

If the match is drawn the championship will be shared. The Minor Counties Cricket Association are awarding a man of the match prize.

There will be a bar and light refreshments will be available with a draw being held each day.

Suffolk have made one change from the side that lost at Northumberland in their last game with Tobias Hembry replacing Nick Lee.

Cheshire include former England contract player Chris Schofield, while fellow spinner Nathan Dumelow has also played a big in their 2005 success.

Suffolk: P Caley, A Mawson, T Webley, T Catley, T Hembry, J Bishop, C Warn, C Swallow, T Smith, P King, A McGarry. 12th man: N Lee.

Cheshire (from): A Hall, R Fisher, M Dawson, M Currie, C Schofield, N Cantello, D Leech, N Dumelow, D Pennett, G Emmett, W Goodwin, T Young.

By ELVIN KING
SUFFOLK have made one change from the side that played Northumberland in the final match of their Minor Counties Championship Eastern Division campaign for the play-off final against Cheshire at Ransomes sports ground, Ipswich that starts on Sunday.

Young Bury St Edmunds batsman Nick Lee is replaced by left hander Tobias Hembry, with Devon Malcolm again on the sidelines.

Ipswich-born Hembry has been playing for Chesterfield in the Derbyshire League and turning out for Worcestershire second eleven.

He was run out for one run on his last Suffolk appearance – the two-day win over Buckinghamshire at Ransomes in July.

Suffolk director of cricket Kevin Brooks said: “Tobias has been scoring runs at club level recently where he plays with our coach Andy Brown.

“We will have a nice mix of right and left handers at the top of the order and feel we are strong enough to collect our fifth win of the summer.”

Former Test star Malcolm has not played in Suffolk’s last two games and although fit from a shoulder injury his personal commitments meant that he could not be considered.

Suffolk’s hopes of bringing in Ben France ended when he was called into the Derbyshire game for their current County Championship match because of an injury to Michael Di Venuto.

Brooks said: “This is good news for Ben, but not so good news for us.

“We have quality running through our team, and our bowlers have all done exceptionally well.

“We must now show composure and hold our nerve during key moments of the game.

“And if we show belief we stand every chance of success.”

Suffolk players meet up tomorrow (SAT) for a get-together before facing the winners of the Western Division with the winners becoming overall 2005 Minor Counties champions – a title Suffolk have won before in 1946, 1977 and 1979.

Cheshire have been forced to make another change for a match sponsored by Biffa Waste that starts at 11.0am Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Experienced all-rounder Jason Whittaker has been omitted following the birth of his first child with Cheshire selecting from a 12-stroing squad.

Hyde pace bowler Tom Young has been drafted in, while original 12th man Warren Goodwin may also get the chance to play.

"We are going to miss Jason because he's an important player to the side, both with the bat and ball," admitted Gerry Hardstaff, Cheshire's chairman of cricket.

“But we've decided to keep our options open and take an extra batsman and bowler with us to Ipswich.

“Tom Young is a very promising cricketer and useful bowler, while Warren Goodwin has already proved he is a capable batsman at Minor Counties level with runs on debut."

Suffolk team: P Caley, A Mawson, T Webley, T Catley, T Hembry, J Bishop, C Warn, C Swallow, T Smith, P King, A McGarry. 12th man: N Lee.

Cheshire (from): A Hall, R Fisher, M Dawson, M Currie, C Schofield, N Cantello, D Leech, N Dumelow, D Pennett, G Emmett, W Goodwin, T Young.

ends...