Andre Bradford is looking forward to Shropshire’s first appearance in a one-day final for 12 years after playing a leading role in the county’s semi-final success.
The consistent batter hit the winning run off the penultimate ball of the match in Sunday’s victory over Suffolk at Shifnal, his former home club ground, as Shropshire won by four wickets under the DLS method.
Bradford kept his cool to end unbeaten on 32 as he completed a good day’s work after earlier excelling in the field by taking four catches as the visitors were restricted to 223-9.
Bradford and his Shropshire team mates now have a big day to plan for next month when they will face Dorset in the NCCA Trophy final at Chester Boughton Hall.
The eagerly-awaited match on Sunday, July 13 will be Shropshire’s first final since 2013 when they lost to Berkshire at Wormsley.
Reflecting on his contribution with the bat on Sunday, after DLS calculations left Shropshire requiring 30 runs to win off as many balls following a rain break, Bradford said: “I would say a few nerves were thrown around. Because we got so close with what Charlie (Home) did when he batted (scoring 18 from 10 balls), I think it was always a case that we were just one hit away from getting over the line, so never in doubt, and it’s obviously exciting to get to go to a final with Shropshire.
“I think the target was probably fair. You never really know with Duckworth Lewis as it always feels like one team’s going to get the upper hand, but I think that was fairly even.
“With wickets in hand, I think we could just have a go, which Charlie did, so that was good.”
On how it felt to hit the winning run with a ball to spare, Bradford said: “I would say it was a bit of relief to be honest because it got a little bit tighter than it probably should have done from where we were.
“I’ve enjoyed batting in the middle order. Coming in at that sort of time when there’s lots of spin on and just trying to be busy, it was nice to be a part of it.
“Even though I took my time and we just got over the line with a few hits at the end, I think it was an important role.”
Fairly even at the halfway stage
On how the semi-final played out, Bradford added: “I would say it was fairly even at the halfway stage. I think runs on the board always makes it tricky in a knockout game, but having played lots of cricket at Shifnal, everyone knew it was definitely chaseable, and with the rain about, we knew it would change things later in the game as well.”
Bradford, who was born in South Africa and is now a UK citizen, has enjoyed playing for Shropshire since joining the county ahead of the 2022 season.
This is his fourth year as a regular in the team and he’s encouraged by the impressive results under the direction of head of cricket Ed Home and captain Charlie Home.
“I think as a club we’ve definitely grown since I joined,” said Bradford. “We struggled in my first few seasons, but with the structure under Ed and Charlie, it’s definitely going the right way, and now getting into a final is massive, so it’s definitely exciting.
“I really enjoy playing for Shropshire. Having grown up in South Africa and coming over, it’s nice to play at a high standard of cricket and compete against good cricketers from all around the country.
“It’s great to see us doing well and that the structure we have is leading to some good results.
“We don’t take things too seriously, which is quite nice, and it’s a nice atmosphere.”
Shropshire and Dorset, their opponents in next month’s Trophy final, have regularly met in three-day NCCA Championship fixtures in recent years.
But Bradford stressed it will be much different going head to head in the 50-over competition final.
“We know a little bit about them, but it’s obviously very different playing three-day cricket to playing one-day cricket,” he insisted.
“It’s always nice when you progress in competitions and you get to play against some of the other sides.
“The teams in the group stages are typically similar every year, but it will be exciting to play against Dorset, a team that we know a little bit about, but it’s a completely different format.”
Pictured: Andre Bradford joined Shropshire ahead of the 2022 season.