Although Cumbria can no longer qualify for the Super12 stage of the NCCA Twenty20 Cup this year they still have the final two matches in the group stage to be completed.
They are being staged today against Staffordshire at Edenside, Carlisle with these final two games starting at 11am and 2.30pm.
Staffordshire currently sit second in the group table and need a minimum of 2 points (one win) from the games to leapfrog Shropshire, who currently head the table but who have finished their matches.
That win would put Staffs top of the group to ensure a home match in the Super12s.
Although Cumbria beat Staffordshire in the 50 over Trophy last month, similarly to having beaten both Cheshire and Shropshire in the One Day Trophy, winning Twenty20 games maybe a step too far, especially as the injuries build up for the county.
Stars of the season for Staffordshire in their T20 games so far have been Nils Priestley, Dan Lincoln and captain James Kettleborough each with over 150 runs to their credit. Liam Hurt and Priestley have both taken 10 or more wickets.
Those four each have previous experience with first class counties as do Tom Brett and Joe Hawkins, with the latter also having represented England u19s.
By comparison Tom Fraine and Matthew Sempill lead the run scoring for Cumbria in T20 with 141 and 126 to their name while Ethan Hardie-Knight is the only available bowler for Cumbria to have taken more than one wicket in T20 this season.
Cumbria have again named four teenagers plus two 20 year-olds. Harry Temperton, Ethan Hardie-Knight and Kian Larmour return to the senior side after playing in the Under-18s County One Day Cup recently.
Declan Tyson is in line for his County debut and five of the team play in the Cumbria Cricket League.
- Cumbria: Matthew Sempill (Cockermouth, capt), Josh Brown (Cockermouth), Ben Davidson (Carlisle), Tom Fraine (Clifton Alliance), Ethan Hardie-Knight (Cockermouth), Paul Hindmarch (Keswick), Kian Larmour (Whitehaven), Harry Temperton (Kendal), Declan Tyson (Barrow), Ed Wade (Clifton Alliance), Nico Watt (Carlisle).
- Staffordshire: James Kettleborough (Checkley) capt, Dan Lincoln (High Wycombe), Callum Hawkins (Moddershall), Ollie Walker (Himley), Matt Morris (Leek), Niall McHale (Milford Hall), Joe Hawkins (Moddershall), Sam Atkinson (Moddershall), Jake Garlick (Moddershall), Liam Hurt (Leyland), Tom Brett (Finedon Dolben), Jack Hammond (JG Meakin).
