County Cricket - Cumberland come up short in Shropshire

4:28pm Monday 12th May 2008

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Cumberland returned to Shrewsbury for the second year running in the hope of winning their first Minor County Trophy game for two years against Shropshire.

But, after Shropshire set a target of 245, the visitors fell 64 runs short with 181-9 in reply.

Shropshire opening batsman John Maunders, ex-Leicestershire CCC, was the star of the show, holding the Shropshire innings together for a well-crafted 132 not out.

Debutant Dan Conway took 2-51 in ten overs, skipper Marcus Sharp had 2-41 from ten overs, and off-spinner Chris Miller of Netherfield CC took 1-60.

Fill-in bowlers Carl Hey and Stuart Burrows took 0-42 in seven overs and 1-20 in 3 overs respectively.

Cumberland required a good start to their innings but unfortunately two wickets went down with the score on 17 and an uphill struggle ensued.

Ex-Durham player Gary Pratt produced a sturdy 49, but Carl Hey was the only other early-order batsmen to make a start, scoring 18 before being dismissed.

Debutant Stuart Burrows showed he is capable of performing at this level with a cameo of 21, skipper Sharp contributing 18 not out before the innings came to a halt 64 runs short of victory.

Cumberland next play in the MCCA Trophy at Workington CC on May 18 against Oxfordshire CCC.