CUMBERLAND crash-landed into the new Minor Counties season with a 226-run defeat against Shropshire at Shinfal on Sunday in the first of four MCCA Trophy group matches.

Shropshire piled up a massive 322-9 with Jono Whitley (90) and Richard Foster (64) leading the way, while James Beaumont was the best of the toiling Cumberland bowlers with 3-58.

Cumberland fared as badly with the bat, dismissed for just 96 with only Gary Pratt (32) making any impact.

Kendal’s Stu Parkin and Chris Miller were in the county side.

The Trophy matches continue when Cumberland return to Cumbria to face Northumberland at Penrith CC on Sunday.