Suffolk have been dealt a big blow ahead of Sunday’s T20 double-header against Bedfordshire at Bury St Edmunds, writes Nick Garnham.

Former Kent all-rounder Adam Ball has taken a new job which has ruled him out of the back-to-back matches at the Victory Ground – and left a question mark against his availability for the remainder of the season.

Suffolk head coach Andy Northcote admitted the absence of all-rounder Ball, who signed for Suffolk before the start of the campaign, would be a big loss to his side.

He said: “Absolutely, it’s his calmness and experience that will be missed most. Since he arrived he’s fitted in superbly and led from the front in the team.

“He has started okay with both bat and ball without setting the world alight, but just knowing he has it in him brings a calming feel to the boys when he is out in the middle.”

Northcote said he did not think last weekend’s three-wicket win against Buckinghamshire in the 50-over Unicorns KO Trophy would impact on his side on Sunday, first match start 11am.

He said: “I think the competitions are very different so I am not too sure how much confidence it will bring us. I appreciate it’s much the same squad, but two very different formats and tactically they are miles apart.

“We have again picked our best squad that is available who we feel suit the short format of the game with the only noticeable absences being Darren Ironside and Michael Comber, who are both in our three-day plans.”

Bedfordshire won the Unicorns East T20 four-team tournament staged at Bury St Edmunds last season, but Northcote said: “We won’t be reading too much into last year as so much has happened since then and the importance we put on T20s, for one, is vastly different.

“Mathematically we do still have a chance of qualifying from our group this season so will continue to do all we can to do so,” added Northcote.

Suffolk squad: Jaik Micklebrugh, Jake Foley, Josh Cantrell, James Poulson, Darren Batch, Kyran Young, Ben Shepperson, Tom Rash, Adam Mansfield (wkt & capt), Jack Beaumont, Billy Moulton-Day, Tymal Mills, Alex Oxley.