Captain Michael Slack will be back to lead Cumbria in the NCCA Trophy Final on Sunday against Berkshire.
Slack, the Carlisle professional broke his toe playing for Cumbria against Buckinghamshire a month ago.
Cockermouth’s Matthew Sempill, in Slack’s absence, led the side to a four wicket victory over Oxfordshire in the semi-final earlier this month.
Slack comes back into the side to replace Nathan Waterston, who has been the leading run-maker in the Cumbria League’s Premier Division this season.
The only other change to the side which beat Oxfordshire sees Keswick’s all-rounder Paul Hindmarch come back into the side for Northern’s Liam Grey who was drafted in at the 11th hour against Oxfordshire to boost the seam attack.
Cumbria lost in the final to Berkshire last season and also were beaten by the same county in the previous final that was held before the pandemic struck.
This time they will be up against the Trophy holders who are chasing a double.
Berkshire have just been crowned the NCCA’s Western Division 1 champions when they defeated Herefordshire by an innings and 20 runs at Falkland CC yesterday.
They went into their final Championship games needing a 16-point win and at least bonus points to overhaul leaders and defending champions Oxfordshire. They achieved it by taking the win and all eight bonus points.
The bonus points were achieved on the opening two days. They bowled out Herefordshire in the first innings for 192 with Luke Beaven taking 4-62 and Euan Woods 3-47.
Berkshire then built up a useful lead by making 374-9 following excellent knocks from Imran Malik with 73, Charlie Dunnett 67, Andy Rishton 50 and Dan Lincoln 44.
Trailing by 182 runs, Herefordshire made a poor start to their second innings, slipping from 41 for one to 55 for five in five overs with slow left-armer Beaven taking three of the wickets.
Captain Matt Pardoe and Roshan Venkataraman lifted the total to 133 but the former’s dismissal for 46 triggered off another collapse and the visitors were finally all out for 162.
Reading skipper Beaven finished with 5-57 from 21.3 overs and Wokingham spinner Max Uttley 4-25 on his return to the side.
Berkshire now go forward to the national final against Lincolnshire, the winners of the Eastern Division at West Bromwich Dartmouth CC starting on September 4th.
The Cumbria squad is: Michael Slack (Carlisle) captain, Sam Dutton (Furness), Ben Walkden (Newton-le-Willows), JJ Fielding (Southport & Birkdale), Marcus Stables (Nantwich), Matthew Sempill (Cockermouth), Paul Hindmarch (Keswick), Finlay Richardson (Netherfield) wk, Nico Watt (Carlisle), Brodie Glendinning (Newcastle), Matthew Siddall (Cockermouth), Sam Sharp (Cockermouth).
