Durant Cricket NCCA Championship: Week 6 - Preview

The divisional phase of the Durant Cricket National Counties Championship is set for an exciting finale with all eight of this weekend’s matches having a bearing on at least one of the five issues still to be decided across the four divisions.

Only Western Division One – won by Berkshire last weekend – has been decided with the Eastern Division One title, two relegation places and the two Division Two titles all up for grabs in the final round of three-day matches which start on Sunday.

There is a three-way fight for the Eastern Division One title which will determine who will face Berkshire in the national final at West Bromwich Dartmouth from September 1 to 4.

Just seven points split leaders Staffordshire from third-placed Lincolnshire with Staffordshire facing a potential decider againstBuckinghamshire, the reigning Eastern Division and national champions, at High Wycombe.

Lincolnshire head to Copdock to take on Suffolk knowing that if there is stalemate between the top two they could take advantage and secure a re-run of the 2022 final.

But Suffolk also have plenty to play for as they currently occupy the relegation spot and need to avoid defeat and take at least 11 points from their final match to send Bedfordshire, who have already completed their four-match programme, down. Lincolnshire are three points behind Bedfordshire.

It is also tight in in Western Division One with all four counties in action this weekend involved in a relegation fight with Cheshire hosting Cornwall at Chester Boughton Hall and Oxfordshire taking on Devon at Banbury.

Devon won the division last year before going down to Buckinghamshire in the final but they have yet to win this season.

But they head to Banbury just two points behind Cheshire and 12 behind Cornwall with Oxfordshire – 22 points clear of bottom place – almost, if not quite mathematically, safe.

There are three-way fights for promotion in both Eastern Division Two and Western Division Two.

Norfolk and Cambridgeshire meet in an East Anglia derby at Horsford that may well decide the Eastern section. Cambridgeshire currently head the table and are 19 points clear of Norfolk.

But Hertfordshire are only nine points adrift of Cambridgeshire and they end their season with a home match against Northumberland at Hertford.

There is also a potential title showdown in Western Division Two at Eastnor where second placed Herefordshire host leaders Shropshire.

Shropshire have a nine points cushion over their Midlands rivals but Wales NC, who face Wiltshire at Abergavenny, are not quite out of the promotion equation, 16 points behind the leaders in third place.

Suffolk will take on Lincolnshire with out batter Alex Oxley and spinning all-rounder Tom Harper, both of whom have left out for “an internal disciplinary matter.”

In their absence Adam Jones of Sudbury and Mark Smith will make their Championship debuts with Ollie Burle recalled on his home club ground and Mackenzie Jones unavailable this weekend.

Lincolnshire’s squad includes a potential debutant in Cuckney seamer Joel Gunn, who has county Second XI experience with Yorkshire.

Buckinghamshire are missing opening batter Cameron Hemp – who has made a century in each of his last two matches – and batter George Harvey but AJ Woodland will make his first Championship appearance of the season and former Yorkshire batter Elliot Callis his first in two years.

All-rounder Cameron Parsons returns after missing the win over Bedfordshire and Berkhamsted all-rounder Ryan Friend is a Championship debutant.

Staffordshire have called up Leek seamer Lewis Moulton for his county debut as Rory Haydon is playing for Derbyshire’s Second XI.

Moulton will play alongside his younger brother, Tom, who made two half-centuries in the victory over Suffolk at Stafford.

Oxfordshire, who saw their hopes of overhauling Berkshire dashed by their draw last weekend, have included Sussex Academy batter Dylan Driscoll and leg-spinner Henry Welch in their 13-man squad.

Former Somerset and Kent all-rounder Calum Haggett will make his farewell appearance as Devon’s professional at Banbury although he may have to play as a specialist batter due to injury.

Ben Privett has also been named in Devon’s 13-man squad but he will be subject to a late fitness check.

Cheshire are still fighting on two fronts this season with the National Counties Trophy final against Norfolk to come a week on Sunday.

They were strengthened by the inclusion of a number of their successful 50 overs players in their draw against Devon last week and will be keen for them to maintain form ahead of the final.

Cornwall head to Chester with the unavailable seamer Adam Snowdon but have yet to confirm his replacement.

Herefordshire again have Worcestershire batter Henry Cullen available and have recalled Barnards Green seamer Chris Steele for his first appearance in two years.

Shropshire are missing former Worcestershire batter Olly Westbury, who is unavailable this weekend, so Halesowen’s Simon Gregory has been recalled for his first appearance in three years.

Shropshire’s win at Bridgnorth on Tuesday seriously damaged Wales’s promotion prospects but they have home advantage against a Wiltshire side unchanged from the one that was also beaten by Shropshire last time out.

Wales will give debuts to batter Cian Davies and Wales Under-18s all-rounder Zac Williams. Leg-spinner Alex Russell returns from county duty with Northamptonshire.

Norfolk are waiting on the availability of Worcestershire batter Josh Cobb but will definitely be without Sam King, who deputised for him in the victory over Cumbria last weekend, against Cambridgeshire. King’s performances for Norfolk have helped to secure him a first team recall with Nottinghamshire.

Norfolk have out Drew Beazleigh, who played in their opening match of the season, on standby for the second match of the Norfolk Cricket Festival.

Cambridgeshire have recalled Joe Tetley, Ben Seabrook and Joe Porter – for his first game of the season.

Hertfordshire welcome back former Essex seamer Jack Plom after he was unavailable for the victory over Cumbria last time out.

Northumberland make another long trip down the A1 with a side that should be strengthened by the return of John Oswell and former Durham pair Harry Crawshaw and Ross Whitfield.

Durant Cricket National Counties Championship

August 18-20 (11am)

Eastern Division One

High Wycombe: Buckinghamshire v Staffordshire. Copdock: Suffolk v Lincolnshire.

Western Division One

Chester Boughton Hall: Cheshire v Cornwall. Banbury: Oxfordshire v Devon.

Eastern Division Two

Hertford: Hertfordshire v Northumberland. Horsford: Norfolk v Cambridgeshire.

Western Division Two

Eastnor: Herefordshire v Shropshire. Abergavenny: Wales NC v Wiltshire