CRICKET: A Suffolk cricket schools stalwart has hit out at the plan by the English Cricket Board to dismiss county Under-14 matches.John Goldsmith is a long-term manager of the Suffolk U-14 side and many of the players who have made the full county side over the last decade have played in his teams.

By Elvin King

CRICKET

A SUFFOLK cricket schools stalwart has hit out at the plan by the English Cricket Board to dismiss county Under-14 matches.

John Goldsmith is a long-term manager of the Suffolk U-14 side and many of the players who have made the full county side over the last decade have played in his teams.

Speaking after his side played out a draw with Essex at Culford School, Goldsmith said: "How can the ECB even be thinking about not 'approving' U-14 county cricket? What a short-sighted suggestion.

"Suffolk and Essex players produced a high standard match and this could be the highest level to which most of these boys aspire. Both teams were a credit to schools cricket, with Essex scout Keith Fletcher among the interested spectators."

Despite being eight for three at one stage, Essex, who included four South of England players, finished on 318 for five. In reply, Suffolk battled away well and were on 243 for nine at the close with William Robinson scoring 92.