Cumbria have stayed loyal to their white-ball squad for tomorrow’s NCCA Trophy final with Berkshire at Wormsley.
Apart from the injured Nathan Waterston and the unavailable Ben Davidson, the Cumbria selectors have stuck with the players who got them to the final.
Chairman of cricket Gareth White said: “I think it’s right to be loyal to the players who got us there. There are one or two new players we are wanting to have a look at but I don’t think the final is the right place.
“Alex Grainger will open and he can also offer us some off-spin bowling. He’s been in good form and played in the final two years ago when we just lost out to Berkshire by one run.
“Nathan is dead keen and will travel, available if we need a substitute fielder as the left shoulder is the one that is giving him trouble and he’s right-handed.
“We are also taking young batsman Evan Williams. He’s only 17 but this will be great experience for him and he will be the official twelfth man.”
White heads the selection committee of captain Gary Pratt, vice-captain Mike Slack and coach Paul Hindmarch. There were injury issues with both Slack and Hindmarch but both have been declared fit.
Berkshire are looking to win the trophy for the fifth time since 2011 – sixth from 2004 – and will be stiff opponents.
Their performance manager Tom Lambert said: “We are under no illusions that in Cumbria we face the stiffest of tests and expect nothing less than a repeat of the 2019 final.
“It will be a special day again for our supporters and also for our captain Richard Morris whose new daughter Poppy was born this week.”
Cumbria: Gary Pratt (capt, Richmondshire), Michael Slack (Carlisle), Sam Dutton (Blackpool), Matthew Sempill (Cockermouth), Alex Grainger (Cockermouth), Paul Hindmarch (Cockermouth), Tom Benn (wk Carlisle), Sam Sharp (Cockermouth), Nico Watt (Wigton), Matthew Siddall (Blackpool), James McGown (Keswick). 12th man Evan Williams (Sedbergh School), Nathan Waterston (Furness).
Berkshire from: Savin Perera (Attenborough), Tom Scriven (Henley), Toby Albert (Hampshire Academy), Richard Morris (capt, Henley), Dan Lincoln (wk, Slough), Euan Woods (Henley), Andy Rishton (Wokingham), Chris Peploe (Wokingham), Tom Nugent (Henley), Luke Beaven (Reigate Priory), Max Uttley (Wokingham), Josh Lincoln (Slough), Stewart Davison (Henley).
Play gets underway at 10.30am.
