Norfolk captain George Walker does not expect the Bury St Edmunds wicket to be another batting paradise when his side begin their Minor Counties Championship campaign against Suffolk tomorrow.

A total of 664 runs were scored during Bury's league match against Great Witchingham last Saturday – but Walker is expecting more bowler-friendly conditions this weekend: 'Maybe it'll have a touch more grass on it,' he said.

'A good flat pitch would be ideal for us because it would start to turn on the third day, but we'll have to see.'

Norfolk could be facing Essex pace bowler Tymal Mills if he is not involved in the Eagles' Clydesdale Bank 40 match against Gloucestershire on Monday.

Left-armer Mills, from Brandon, did not play in Essex's defeat to the Netherlands on Tuesday and has been named in Suffolk's 13-man squad.

Walker said: 'It will be interesting to see if he does turn up because he's got quite a bit of pace and he'll be handy if he plays.'

Norfolk have chosen Kieran Bunting to lead the seam attack alongside Michael Eccles, despite the claims of Norwich's Aaron Watson, who has enjoyed a prolific start to the season with the ball: 'Aaron has been taking wickets and is still very much on the radar, but Kieran played in the last two games of last season and we have decided to stick with him,' said Walker.

'Michael Warnes is still coming back from injury and it's too early to risk him.'

Sam Arthurton is on duty with Essex's second XI and Harry Bush has university commitments, so Vauxhall Mallards' Ali Shearer makes his second Championship appearance for Norfolk, with Swardeston's Peter Lambert likely to bat at number four.