NCCA CRICKET MATTERS Trophy semi-final team news

Berkshire have named ten of the side that defeated Middlesex in last weekend’s Showcase match in their squad for today’s National Counties Trophy semi-final against Dorset at Finchampstead (1100). 

Slow left-armer Luke Beaven returns to the squad in place of batter Charlie Dunnett as Berkshire continue their quest for a hat-trick of titles in the 50-overs competition having defeated Cumbria in both the 2019 and 2021 finals. 

Opening batter Johnny Connell, who made a superb unbeaten 150 against Middlesex, is set to make his second Trophy appearance having made his debut in the defeat by Cornwall in a group match at Truro in June. 

Off-spinner Alex Searle, who has yet to make his senior debut, is again named in Berkshire’s 12-man squad. 

Dorset have made four changes to the side that beat Devon in the quarter-finals with Weybridge seamer Ben Ladd-Gibbon set for his first appearance in the competition since May 2013. 

Opening batter Jake Gordon, 18-year-old wicketkeeper/batter Joe Eckland and slow left-armer Rob Pack return in place of Greg Willows, Connor Smith, Jem Warner and Ben Fletcher. 

Oxfordshire, the only of the four semi-finalists never to have won the Trophy, host Cumbria at Great & Little Tew. 

Gloucestershire all-rounder Luke Charlesworth is available to Oxfordshire, his native county, this weekend. 

Off-spinner Max Mannering, who has been in the wickets in three-day cricket, and batsman Jamie Harrison also come into the side. 

Cumbria have called up Northern seamer Luke Grey for his first appearance in three years in place of player/coach Paul Hindmarch. 

Two Lancashire Academy players, all-rounder Ben Walkden and JJ Fielding, are the other changes to the side that beat Cambridgeshire in the quarter-finals three weeks ago. 

Walkden will make his Trophy debut and Matt Sempill will captain Cumbria in the absence of Michael Slack. 

 

National Counties Trophy 

Semi-finals 

Sunday August 7 (11am) 

Finchampstead: Berkshire v Dorset 

Great & Little Tew CC: Oxfordshire v Cumbria 

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