Cricket - Change of skipper for Trophy tie

12:49pm Sunday 18th May 2008

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CUMBERLAND head to Workington for their third MCCA Trophy of the season against a strong Oxfordshire team - and find themselves still seeking that elusive win after a 64-run defeat by Shropshire last weekend.

Cumberland face a few enforced changes, notably for captain Marcus Sharp, who is unavailable due to club commitments, resulting in ex-Durham CCC player Gary Pratt taking over the reins.

Matthew Gorley is still struggling with a shoulder injury and Jonathon Miles is on North of England Under-17 duty.

Ex-Durham player James Lowe is set to open the batting with Barrow CC's Darren Clark.

Along with Pratt, James Smith and Alex Stead will provide the experience in the middle-order.

Meanwhile, Graham Dawson of Barrow CC is fit again after injury and will be looking to consolidate his place in the team by adding late-order runs and also provide support to the bowlers.

Workington CC's Callum Moffatt keeps wicket on his home ground, while Chris Hooker and Dan Conway once again open the bowling, with Cleator stalwart Dave Rooney a support seam bowler.

Chris Miller, Netherfield CC's off-spinner, will be hoping to tie up the Oxfordshire batsmen.

A tough game is expected, but as two teams go into the quarter-finals from each group, Cumberland still have everything to play for.

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

But after the home side made 245-7, 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.

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.