County Cricket - Cumberland one match off Lord's final (From The Westmorland Gazette)

County Cricket - Cumberland one match off Lord's final

9:02am Monday 20th June 2011 in Sport

CUMBERLAND'S cricketers are one match away from a Lord's appearance after a one-wicket win over Herefordshire with one ball to spare in the MCCA Trophy's quarter-finals.

Skipper Gary Pratt hammered a superb century to spearhead the county's charge into a semi-final tie against Berkshire at Falkland CC on Sunday, July 3.

Netherfield's Alex Atkinson and Kendal's Jonathan Miles were in the selected XI for the match.

Herefordshire set Cumberland a formidable task when amassing 301-9 off their 50 overs with Fazil Shahid (74) and Chris Boroughs (73) leading the scoring.

Liam Livingstone (3-43) was the pick of the Cumberland bowling.

Pratt took up the challenge with 105, Ikram Ullah hit 64 and Liam Watkinson was 21 not out as Cumberland scampered home by one wicket in the tightest of finishes.

Cumberland team manager Ian Sharp said: "It was a great team effort on a good batting track and our bowlers did well to contain Herefordshire to 301-9.

"Gary Pratt, our captain, led by example with a superb century, but his astute captaincy was excellent.

"He put Herefordshire in and worked out the runs chase and his players supported him."