Norfolk will hand debuts to two players, including rugby union fly-half Ben Patston, against Northumberland.

Norwich batsman Patston, 22, who has played for Bedford, and Horsford bowler Richard Gilliatt will play in Sunday's Minor Counties Championship opener.

Patston told BBC Radio Norfolk about the similarities between the two games.

"Obviously the fitness side of things are similar, running between the wickets in cricket and bursts of speed in rugby are the aspects I work on."

Patston used to play rugby for Premiership side Northampton Saints.

The pair replace all-rounder Jaik Mickleburgh, who is on Essex's books, while Swardeston skipper Mark Thomas is unavailable for the Jesmond clash.

Norfolk missed out on the Eastern Division title last season when they lost their final game.

Opening batsman Carl Rogers is captaining Norfolk this season after Paul Bradshaw was stripped of his duties during the winter.

They have made a promising start to the season by reaching the quarter-finals of the MCCA Knockout Trophy and will now attempt to reproduce that form in the three-day game.

Norfolk: Carl Amos, Carl Rogers (captain), James Spelman, Trevor Ward, Chris Borrett, Stephen Gray (wicket-keeper), Ben Patston, Chris Brown, George Walker, Richard Gilliatt, Michael Eccles.