There will be familiar opposition for Cumbria when they contest the NCCA One Day final against Berkshire again at Wormsley on Sunday.
It will be the fourth consecutive meeting of the two counties in the final, a record since the competition started in 1986.
That in itself poses more problems for Cumbria as they will leave home after Saturday’s local league games have been completed while Berkshire make the short trip to neighbouring Buckinghamshire.
Wormsley has staged every final since the Minor Counties lost their annual outing to Lord’s due to the 2012 Olympics.
The record for both sides appearing in four consecutive finals is obviously a proud one as 18 other counties would have loved to have qualified for any of the four finals.
Historically, Berkshire have won the trophy seven times (the first time in 2004) while Cumberland have won twice in 1989 and 2012.
As for the head-to-heads in the finals Berkshire won in 2019 by the closest margin (1 run), the largest margin was in 2021 (151 runs) and last year they won by five wickets
That came after Cumbria had opened with a 108 run partnership and then reduced Berkshire to 10-1 before Euan Woods and Jack Davies took the game away from them.
This year Berkshire almost stumbled out at the group stage, relying on Hertfordshire to beat Cornwall in the final group match which coupled with a big away win against Bedfordshire saw them qualify second in the group on NRR.
Two more big away wins followed in the quarters (chasing down 296) and semi final (with 13 overs to spare). No-one can say they did not qualify the hard way.
Whilst Cumbria were unbeaten in their group, then were perhaps underestimated by and surprised both Cheshire in the quarters (at Keswick) and Suffolk away in the semi final at Sudbury.
Cumbria are without Chris Wright who played half the games en route to the final (two group games and the semi), due to Leicestershire playing in the Metro Bank One Day Cup and Gary Pratt who has club commitments.
The announced XI is confirmed as: Michael Slack (Carlisle, capt), Freddie Fallows (Kendal), Sam Dutton (Furness), Ben Walkden (Newton-le-Willows), JJ Fielding (Southport & Birkdale), Matthew Sempill (Cockermouth), Ed Moulton (Chorley), Nico Watt (Carlisle), Drew Postlethwaite (Haverigg, wk), Sam Sharp (Cockermouh), Matthew Siddall (Cockermouth).
Berkshire have not announced a squad. They have used 19 players in the last three finals compared to Cumbria’s 22. The core of their side is expected to be the same as in the previous three finals: Dan Lincoln, Andy Rishton, Euan Woods, Tom Nugent and Luke Beaven.
Then as Middlesex don’t have any matches, Berkshire’s home grown players Jack Davies and Toby Greatwood who have both progressed to play for Middlesex are likely to be available. Whereas Tom Scriven (Leicestershire), like Chris Wright, is unlikely to be available.
Johnny Connell (Exeter Uni), Rhodri Lewis (Cardiff Uni), Charlie Dunnett (Hampshire 2nds) and Archie Carter have also been regularly selected for their one day side this season. Savin Perera MoM in the 2021 should also be available, as will no doubt Josh Lincoln, Billy Mead and Adam Searle. Riches indeed.
There’s also a rather special sideshow likely to take place as Cumbria captain Michael Slack and Euan Woods appear to be going head to head for the NCCA MVP in the Trophy.
There will be online commentary by BBC Cumbria Sport via the BBC cricket website, and live streamed by the NCCA, for those not making the journey.
