Cricket - Atkinson skippers U21s against MCC (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cricket - Atkinson skippers U21s against MCC

9:08am Wednesday 6th July 2011 in Sport

NETHERFIELD and Cumberland County batsman Alex Atkinson, 19, will skipper the Northern Cricket League U21 XI in their prestigious fixture against the MCC at Shap Road, Kendal CC on Friday, July 15.

Atkinson has already established himself as a leading player in the Cumberland Minor Counties XI which was defeated in the MCCA Trophy Semi-Finals by Berkshire on Sunday and scored his maiden Championship century against Bucks at Slough last season.

He will be hoping to further his cricketing education with Leeds Bradford MCCU when he starts his degree course in the autumn, having spent last winter playing cricket in Australia.

"Alex is a fine young player with a big future ahead of him and is the ideal choice to captain the League XI," says Northern League team manager Clive Henderson.

"Over 40 players were put forward for selection from member clubs and I am confident we have selected a side that will do full justice to the league on and off the field.

"This is a game we are all looking forward towards and it should be a tremendous occasion."

Netherfield's John Huck joins Atkinson in the side alongside Kendal all-rounder Jack White.

Darwen duo Jordan Clarke, who will keep wicket and Niall Burke are in the side alongside the Chorley pair of Will Moulton and Jack Bentham. Moulton scored a high-class 90 against St Annes last Saturday.

Nathan Armstrong and Ben Willis (St Annes) and Morecambe's Chris Williams, who took 6/49 for Cumberland against Berkshire last Sunday in the MCCA Trophy semi-final- Cumberland's best in one day cricket- are also included.

Fleetwood off-spinner Kieran McGann, a regular in the First XI this season also gets his opportunity after impressing many good judges this year.

The game starts at 11.30am and is based on a declaration format with the final 20 overs beginning at 5-30pm.