Cumbria will be pleased to get some positive action on Sunday (weather permitting) when they play the annual showcase game against Lancashire.
They go into after a drab finish to their three-day NCCA Championship game with Hertfordshire at Bishop’s Stortford.
Much of the second day was lost through rain but Hertfordshire batted a result out of the equation in their second innings, setting Cumbria an impossible task in the short time that remained.
They will relish the chance to get to grips with Lancashire for a third year on Sunday with the game being played at Sedbergh School.
Both teams could probably claim this as a home game, both possibly view it as an opportunity for their players to shine. In Lancashire’s case it’s maybe a chance to push for a first team place in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
In Cumbria’s case it’s an opportunity to play against a team of fully professional players.
Cumbria’s announced team shows one change from the most recent game against Hertfordshire (Ed Moulton returning in place of Ben Davidson) and two from their 50-overs semi-final winning team – JJ Fielding in for Marcus Stables and Sam Sharp replacing Chris Wright.
The team is: Michael Slack (Carlisle, capt), Sam Dutton (Furness), Freddie Fallows (Kendal), Ben Walkden (Newton-le-Willows), JJ Fielding (Southport & Birkdale), Matthew Sempill (Cockermouth), Ed Moulton (Chorley), Nico Watt (Carlisle), Drew Postlethwaite (Haverigg, wk), Sam Sharp (Cockermouth), Matthew Siddall (Cockermouth).
Only four of those named played the corresponding fixture last year. Also four have previously represented Lancashire; Matthew Sempill (Lancashire Colts), Ben Walkden and JJ Fielding (2nd XI) and Ed Moulton (one 1st XI appearance) so potentially have points to prove to Lancashire Cricket.
Lancashire will be without former Cumbrian players Liam Livingstone and Richard Gleeson. Other absentees include Anderson, Parkinson, Mahmood, Salt, Buttler, Wood, Wells, Hartley and Jones so practically a whole team.
Nevertheless eight of the side who played in this week’s County Championship draw with Northamptonshire at Old Trafford will be available for selection.
Club captain Keaton Jennings is expected to lead the side with Dane Vilas playing as their sole overseas player as well as highly rated youngsters and England Under-19 internationals George Bell and George Balderson.
Their team should be based on a decision to field a core group of players including several of their youngsters in the Metro Bank One Day Cup this year. There is therefore the possibility that former Kendal player Tom Aspinwall might return to his old school to make his full Lancashire debut, after occasionally being included in Lancashire’s T20 squads this year and being a leading wicket taker in their second XI this year.
It will be the fifth time that the two clubs have met, Lancashire have won all the previous matches.
The match is scheduled to start at 11am on Sunday, weather permitting. It is free entry.
