County Cricket - Sharp cuts up Northumberland with seven-strike (From The Westmorland Gazette)

County Cricket - Sharp cuts up Northumberland with seven-strike

11:58am Monday 22nd August 2011 in Sport

CUMBERLAND paceman Marcus Sharp enjoyed one of his most productive days for Cumberland when capturing seven for 28 to lay waste the Northumberland batting at Barrow on Sunday.

Sharp’s exploits on the opening day of the final Minor Counties Championship match of the season routed the visitors for 67 in 28.2 overs in reply to Cumberland’s first innings haul of 287.

Netherfield’s Alex Atkinson was in bristling form with the bat for Cumberland.

He made a top-scoring 68 out with Johnny Makin capturing 5-96 for the visitors. There were seven fours and a six in the innings as Atkinson faced 163 balls and batted 164 minutes.

He featured in the top partnership of 62 for the eighth wicket with Chris Hodgson.

Cumberland team manager Ian Sharp said: “I am delighted. It was a superb day’s performance from our batsmen and bowlers as epitomised by Alex Atkinson’s batting and Marcus Sharp’s bowling.”

He added: “Gary Pratt and myself will ponder whether or not to enforce the follow-on.”