Cumbria have not given up hope of qualifying for the T20 finals day despite not having played a game so far.
They are the only county side in the country who have not yet picked-up a bat or ball in the competition. Nearest to them have been Cambridgeshire in group three who have also had six games without a result, but they did manage to bowl 15.5 overs against Suffolk reducing them to 73-7 before that game was abandoned.
Cumbria are due to play Cheshire at Netherfield on Sunday and to qualify they need to win both games and end them with a better Net Run Rate than Staffordshire, the current group leaders who do not play this weekend.
Cheshire won this group last year and in previous T20 matches hold a 5-2 win record over the Cumbrians.
Cumbria’s NCCA T20 group has been by far the worst hit by the weather with only four out of 16 matches being played to a conclusion. That’s exactly half as many as the next badly hit group.
Staffordshire, who have finished their group stage matches lead the group as it stands by four points. Good fortune has certainly favoured them because they have been in involved in each of those four games played to a finish and won three of them.
Sunday’s opponents Cheshire were one of those to lose to Staffordshire. They wenty down by just ten runs trying to chase down 176.
The group table is currently: Staffordshire 10 points and a NRR of +1.87; Cumbria 6 points NRR of 0; Northumberland 6 pts, NRR -1.12; Cheshire and Shropshire with 5 points each.
So Cumbria have to win both games against Cheshire (who can’t qualify) whilst also surpassing Staffordshire’s NRR. Northumberland who play Shropshire have to achieve an even greater NRR swing if they were to qualify.
Cumbria make one change to their squad which sees former Cockermouth batsman Marcus Stables returning to the 12-man squad in place of Nathan Waterston of Furness.
Cumbria: Michael Slack (Carlisle) capt, Sam Dutton (Furness), Freddie Fallows (Kendal), Ed Moulton (Chorley), Gary Pratt (Richmondshire), Finlay Richardson + (Kendal), Matthew Sempilll (Cockermouth), Sam Sharp (Cockermouth), Matthew Siddall (Cockermouth), Marcus Stables (Nantwich), Ben Walkden (Newton le Willows), and Nico Watt (Carlisle).
Cheshire have selected a strong squad including spin bowler Matt Carter of Nottinghamshire and the Trent Rockets franchise. Steve Green and Sam Grant return to their squad.
Cheshire: Nick Anderson – capt (Didsbury), Sam Perry (Alderley Edge), Ali Chughtai (Neston), Harry Dearden (Edgworth), Alex Money (Chester Boughton Hall), Pat Ashling + (Sale), Sam Grant (Clifton Alliance), Steve Green (Didsbury), Matt Carter (Nottinghamshire), Rob Lord (Bowdon), Luke Young (Hyde) and Andy Dufty (Oulton Park).
Hoping for better weather, the two games are due to start at 11am and 2.30pm.
