It’s showcase time again as Cumbria are due to play Lancashire at Sedbergh School on Sunday, July 21.
It will be the fourth time since the introduction of these showcase games that the county have taken on Lancashire when National Counties sides get to test themselves against first class opposition.
With the game being 50 overs per side Lancashire will again be using the game as a warm-up to their Metro Bank Cup campaign. They will be playing Durham at Sedbergh School on the following Wednesday.
As the match is being held at Sedbergh School it could be described as a home match both sides, being in Cumbria yet at a ground which Lancashire use as an out-ground, so the county is grateful to the Lancashire County Club for organising the match along with Sedbergh School as hosts.
The match is free for supporters to attend and everyone involved hopes that we will be more fortunate with the weather than has been the case recently this season.
In last year’s game Lancashire’s innings was ‘rescued’ by an unbroken 6th wicket partnership by Matty Hurst and Tom Aspinwall of 106 in little more than 50 balls in a T20 styled 30 minutes. Cumbria were unable to match that acceleration despite 67 from JJ Fielding.
Neither Hurst not Aspinwall will be available this year as they have been drafted into the Hundred.
Lancashire will be missing as many as 10 of their star players, absent due to their involvement in the Hundred. They should nevertheless be able to select a strong side from their squad including George Lavelle and Harry Singh who have both represented Cumbria this year plus captain Keaton Jennings, overseas player Tom Bruce and rising stars such as George Bell and George Balderson.
There must also be a chance that 16-year-old Rocky Flintoff, currently playing for England Young Lions plays after he signed a rookie professional contract with the club recently.
Car parking will be available close by for £5. The match is scheduled to start at 11am. Free entry.
