Riki Wessels, son of former South African Test captain Kepler Wessels, lit up Edenside.
Described in pre-match blurb as a ferocious hitter who can wreak havoc, 36-year-old Wessels lived up to the billing.
The former Notts, Northants and Worcester batsman/wicket-keeper with over 11,000 first class runs to his name was virtually unplayable in the first game.
He was in the Staffordshire line-up chasing a place in the National T20 Championship knock-out stages against a Cumbria side which was out of contention.
The first of the two games was a complete disaster for the hosts as they were taken apart by some deadly hitting by Wessels.
He hit 65 not out off 20 balls and hit three fours and eight sixes. The Staffordshire winning reply of 108-0 took only 33 minutes and 7.4 overs.
Earlier Cumbria had managed only 107-7 off their 20 overs, indebted to Matthew Sempill (38no) and captain Michael Slack (21) for getting that many.
Cumbria also batted first in the second game and did a lot better as they made 120-6 in their 20 overs.
Slack (21), Gary Pratt (26) and Nathan Waterston (23) were the chief run makers and Peter Wilshaw (3-7 off three) the most successful Staffs bowler.
But it was the bowling that nearly carved out a fine win for the host county, leaving Staffordshire to stage a late charge and win by two wickets off the penultimate ball.
Wessels did not last long second time round and it was a big moment for 17-year-old Josh Stirling, the Carlisle off spinner when he bowled him for one.
With Wessels gone Staffordshire were forced onto the back foot and steady bowling and fielding by Cumbria reduced them to 61-6 with six overs left.
Another of the Cumbrian youngsters brought into the attack, Regan Jackson of Workington took 2-12 in his first three overs.
Although they lost two more quick wickets and were seemingly in trouble on 68-8 they flew home thanks to an unbroken ninth wicket stand of 56 between Grant Thornton (40no) and Jack Redmond (16no).
Redmond’s unbeaten 40 came off only 17 deliveries and included three sixes and two fours.
