Skipper Michael Slack will miss Cumbria’s opening T20 game at the weekend through injury.
Slack, the Carlisle professional, has been troubled by a groin issue throughout the winter.
He said: “I am going to play as a batsman only, and not bowl, when Carlisle have a friendly with Netherfield this Sunday to see how it feels.
“We start the new Cumbria League season the following Saturday and we will see how it’s going.”
The Cockermouth captain Matthew Sempill will skipper Cumbria when they play two T20 games against Staffordshire at Moddershall on Sunday, April 16.
Two of the three new bowlers that Cumbria have brought into the squad for the 2023 season are included.
Ed Moulton from Chorley and Freddie Fallows of the Kendal club are in the side for the first time.
The third newcomer George Burrows, who has been training during the winter with the Cumbria squad, has not been included this time.
It’s a strong Cumbrian squad, made up of most of the side who reached the NCCA Trophy final again last season.
The team: Matthew Sempill (Cockermouth, capt), Sam Dutton (Furness), Freddie Fallows (Kendal), Ed Moulton (Chorley), Gary Pratt (Richmondshire), Finlay Richardson (Kendal), Sam Sharp (Cockermouth), Matthew Siddall (Cockermouth), Ben Walkden (Newton le Willows), Nathan Waterston (Furness), Nico Watt (Carlisle). Twelfth man: Josh Brown (Cockermouth).
Walkden, Siddall and Richardson are set to make their T20 debuts.
