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Williams' claims County record but Berks claim spoils
Cumberland's hopes of reaching the Lord's final of the MCCA Trophy ended in disappointment as the County went down to defeat against Berkshire in the semi-final at Falkland CC, Newbury. Former Cumberland batsman David Barnes and fellow opener Mike Roberts laid the foundation of Berkshire's victory by 58 runs with an opening stand of 195 in 212 balls. Barnes made 86 off 99 balls including 11 fours before he became the first of Chris Williams' six wickets, well caught by Chris Thompson at long off in the 35 th over. Roberts made a classy 103 off 116 balls including seven fours and three sixes and became Williams' second victim, this time to a well-judged catch by Liam Watkinson at mid on. |
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Williams
helped
rein in
Berkshire's
total
which at
one
stage
threatened
to top
the 350
mark.
The tall 21-year-old Morecambe seam bowler, who was playing Westmorland League cricket for Silverdale two seasons ago bowled superbly to record Cumberland's best bowling analysis in one day cricket. He finished with six for 49 off nine overs, despite being the seventh bowler used by Cumberland captain Gary Pratt. Berkshire's former England test player Shaun Udal helped his side overcome their wobbles, hitting 41 off only 20 balls with six fours and one six. Largely thanks to Udal's big-hitting Berkshire reached 300/9 after their 50 overs, though it might have been a different story. Udal survived a confident appeal for leg before by Barrow's Liam Livingstone early in his innings before launching his assault. James Beaumont was Cumberland's most economical bowler and conceded only 39 runs from his ten overs. Fellow off-spinner James Lowe also bowled well to apply a break in the scoring in mid-innings, with a spell of 0/44. Beaumont also enhanced his reputation as one of the best fielders in the competition by effecting two run outs, those of Craig Crowe and Luke Beaven. Williams bowled a good full length and line from a high action to claim his record-breaking analysis. |
Former Cumberland batsman in huge opening stand
Cumberland had scored over 300 in the quarter-final to beat Herefordshire and openers Jon Miles and James Lowe began their innings confidently. Lowe survived a dropped catch behind the stumps until falling next ball, to an identical delivery from Tom Lambert for 24 out of an opening stand of 62. |
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Miles
continued
his fine
season
for the
County,
striking
the ball
confidently
and
looking
in prime
form.
But he
lost
partners
Liam
Livingstone,
caught
behind
off
Lambert
for a
fluent
21 and
skipper
Pratt,
who was
adjudged
leg
before
to
Berkshire
captain
Bjorn
Mordt
for 19
despite
having
advanced
well
down the
pitch.
Miles was then pinned leg before by off-spinner Udal for 75, made off 74 balls with 12 fours, a classy innings. Cumberland were now up against it at 148/4 in the 28 th over. Udal went on to claim the wickets of Alex Atkinson, leg before for 15 and wicketkeeper Ikram Ullah, stumped for 24 in a spell of 3/40. Lambert accounted for Thompson and Graham Dawson in a spell of 4/42 before limping out of the attack in his final over. Cumberland's innings ended with two run outs, both claimed by Jono McLean. Liam Watkinson was dismissed for one and Beaumont for 10 after a valiant last wicket stand of 34 with Williams. Last man Williams, who bats no4 for Morecambe ended unbeaten on 26 off 16 balls including two huge sixes to stake his claim for a promotion in the batting order. Cumberland were dismissed for 242 in the 46 th over but the County can be well pleased with the efforts of their young side which under Pratt is becoming a force in both formats of the game. |
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