MARCUS Sharp will lead Cumberland CC for the second consecutive season, which is also the 50th year of the club playing Minor County cricket.

Previewing the new campaign, Sharp said the county would miss the pace bowling of Ian Hunter, who had joined Derbyshire on a two-year contract, but thinks the signing of Yorkshire's Vic Craven, as a non-capped county player, will strengthen the squad.

Cumberland will, whenever possible, he said, play at least four Cumbrians, who are willing and have the ability.

In an attempt to give players the opportunity to blossom at Minor Counties level, the team has been chosen for the first three games, which are all at home in June, opening against Buckinghamshire at Barrow's Ernest Pass ground from next Monday to Wednesday.

And Sharp believes that Glen Capstick and Rhys Williams will have benefited from playing at this level last season.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Pallav Kumar, who had a season at Durham, has been released and will be available for Cumberland during the season.

Nevertheless, the best-laid plans in cricket can be ruined by the weather.

Since 1985, Cumberland have had six matches abandoned without a ball being bowled but ironically half were outside the Lake District.

n This year's Yearbook (£5) will not be published until June 12 because of its increased size due to the 50th anniversary and will be available at the MCCA Trophy match between Cumberland and Oxfordshire at Sedbergh School, the first time the school has sponsored a county match.

Freelance journalist John Richardson has been made acting county secretary of the Cumberland club following the tragic death of Ken Ion, the previous holder of the office.

John, who lives at Penwortham near Preston, has been assisting the county with fund-raising and sponsorship, press relations and compiling the annual yearbook.

Cumberland (v Bucks at Barrow): M. A. Sharp (capt), S. A. Richardson, D. E. Barnes, R. Waite, G. D. Lloyd, V. J. Craveh, G. L. Capstick, P. Kumar, D. R. Williams (w/keeper), J. M. Fielding,