Staffordshire top National Counties T20 Super 12s group over Shropshire - without bowling ball on final weekend

Staffordshire clinched the points required to jump above Shropshire and finish top of their National Counties T20 Super 12s group - without even bowling a ball.

While dry and muggy conditions continued in the Midlands it was a different story in the north west, where James Kettleborough’s men visited Cumbria in search of a victory required to leapfrog Shropshire, whose group stage finished a fortnight ago.

But rain at the venue in Carlisle ensured there was no action on Sunday, with a point for each abandoned fixture.

Two points from the washed-out double-header were enough to lift Staffs into top spot by a single point in group one and provide a boost with home advantage in the next stage of the competition.

They will be joined as hosts by fellow group winners Norfolk, Devon and Berkshire.

Staffordshire and Shropshire will be joined by Cheshire at the Super 12s stage after the latter nudged Northumberland into third.

The Super-12s will take place on Sunday August 9 with venues and groups to be confirmed.

A Shropshire County Cricket League representative XI, meanwhile, edged out Shropshire Academy by three runs in a friendly clash at Whitchurch on Sunday.

The SCCL side posted 255/7 with Michael Robinson (80) and Kieran Gill (74*) scoring well.

The county youth outfit fell just short despite knocks from Harry Chandler (94), Morgan Ward (54) and Ben Roberts (45).