County cricket AGM to be held

Ahead of the annual meeting next Tuesday, Cumberland County Cricket Club has been looking at their recent link-up with ECB.

In his report to the AGM, to be held at the Penrith club, chairman Neil Atkinson reflects on the four-year county partnership agreement which started last year.

“It sets out the standards we are required to achieve and maintain both on and off the field through to 2029.

“The CPA covers a wide range of areas from safeguarding and EDI through to health and safety and general conduct regulations.

“The importance of achieving the required standards cannot be over-stated as compliance continues to play an ever-increasing role in our day to day activities as a county club,” he says.

On the field the, county had mixed performances across all three format – the 50-overs, T20 and Championship.

Cumbria have made a habit of reaching the 50-Overs Trophy competition in recent years but this time failed to reach the knock-out stage.

The T20 saw much-improved performances that ensured progress through the group stage to the Super 12 round where defeat came in a deciding match with Northumberland.

The championship has proved to be a challenge in previous years but there was clear evidence in 2025 that the team is now getting to grips with three-day cricket and much improved performances meant they were competitive in all games.

During the season the Cockermouth captain Matthew Sempill became only the ninth player to complete 100 games for Cumbria/Cumberland.

The annual report also revealed that the county club had made a loss on the year of £14,384 compared to a profit of nearly £15,000 the year before.

Memberships, NCCA funding, team sponsorship and donations were all down from 2024 while expenses had significantly risen in match expenses, development team expenses, cricket clothing and equipment.

However at the year end the club still has cash assets pf over £18,000.

The 2026 season for the county side starts on Sunday, April 26 with the first group game in the 50 Overs competitions when Cumbria travel to Bridgnorth to take on Shropshire.