NCCA 50-Over Trophy 2025: Week 2 Preview

Leicestershire seamer Chris Wright will renew his relationship with Cumbria in Sunday’s National Counties Trophy Group One match against Bedfordshire at Dunstable.

Wright helped Cumbria to reach the final of the competition two years ago when he played in three matches, including the semi-final victory over Suffolk at Sudbury where he took three wickets.

The experienced Wright has not played for Cumbria since but, as he is not required by Leicestershire this weekend, he comes into the side on Sunday.

Harry Singh, who made a century in the defeat by Northumberland last weekend, misses out because of his commitments with Lancashire.

Kendal seamer Sam Sharp and Cockermouth batter Greg Platten will make their seasonal debuts for Cumbria with Platten set for his first Trophy appearance in 12 years.

Bedfordshire have included Wright’s former Leicestershire team-mate Abi Sakande as one of three debutants in their squad for Sunday’s match and Monday’s againstLincolnshire, also at Dunstable.

Sakande, who played one match for Oxfordshire in 2017, is joined by Scotland Under-19 international Jamie Dunk and Oscar Phillips.

Lincolnshire take county cricket to Barton Town for the first time on Sunday whereNorthumberland are the visitors for the historic event.

Batter Ben Jones, a product of the county’s age group sides, and seamer Adam Copley will make their debuts for Lincolnshire with Pranav Pothula recalled for his first county involvement in two years.

Northumberland have included debutants Alex Bovill, who is one of seven Burnopfield players, and Joe Stuart in their squad for Sunday’s match and Monday’s againstCambridgeshire at Peterborough.

There will be a familiar face in unfamiliar surroundings in Cambridgeshire’s team with former Bedfordshire slow left-armer George Darlow making his debut for his new county. Darlow confirmed his switch only this week having played for Bedfordshire in friendly against MCC two weeks ago.

Nick Green is also included in Cambridgeshire’s squad for a possible first appearance in two years.

Former Warwickshire all-rounder Liam Banks will make his first appearance for Staffordshire in two years as they begin their Trophy campaign with a Group Two match against Herefordshire at West Bromwich Dartmouth on Sunday.

But Banks, Reeve Evitts and Rory Haydon, who is trialling with Derbyshire, are not available for Monday’s match against Suffolk at Bignall End, who are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year.

Joe Hawkins, James Abbotts and Ed Batchelor come into the side for the first county match at Boon Hill Road since 1990.

Suffolk include former Worcestershire and Leicestershire all-rounder George Rhodes, who was unavailable for the victory over holders Norfolk last week. Alex Maynard makes way for Rhodes.

Norfolk face two away games this weekend against Shropshire at Shrewsbury on Sunday and Herefordshire at Brockhampton on Monday.

Norfolk’s squad includes Ethan Metcalf and Freddie Fairey who replace brothers Joe and Jordan Everett.

Shropshire have Worcestershire and England Under-19s all-rounder Jack Home available and he replaces Warwickshire prospect Theo Wylie in the only change to the side that beat Herefordshire.

Herefordshire will be boosted by the return of captain Matt Pardoe, who was unavailable for the defeat by Shrophire, and the inclusion of another former Worcestershire batter, Taylor Cornall.

They are available for both matches but seamer Adam Hines will face only Staffordshire with spinner Ryan Kilminster coming into Monday’s squad against Norfolk.

All-rounder Roshan Venkataraman will sit out both games having suffered a recurrence of a rib injury.

Cheshire, who were shot out 68 and beaten by ten wickets by Hertfordshire last week, face another trip, this time to Marlborough College to face Wiltshire on Sunday.

Michael Finan, the former Leicestershire and Northamptonshire left-arm paceman, and Henry Dobson come into the squad for the Group Four contest.

Wiltshire, who also play Wales NC at Warminster on Sunday, are able to include Warwickshire left-arm wrist spinner Jake Lintott.

Jack Campbell, the former Durham and Hampshire left-arm seamer, is set for his National Counties debut and Ben Huntley for his first county appearance in three years.

Wales NC, who face Hertfordshire at Sudbrook on Sunday, will be forced to ring the changes on Monday as Will Smale, Henry Hurle and Ben Morris are required for Second XI duty with Glamorgan.

Northop Hall’s Jac Kennedy and Brymbo’s Joe Norman will make their Wales debuts on Monday having impressed playing for Wales NC North.

St Asaph captain Will Ryan and off-spinner Tegid Phillips also face Wiltshire.

Glamorgan Academy batter Jack Hope-Bell is Sunday’s debutant with slow left-armer Romano Franco and left-arm seamer Jospeh Davies called up in place of Milo Ayres, Zac Le Riche and Ollie Sherwood.

Hertfordshire include Callum Scott, who last played for the county three years ago, in their squad along with Andrew Neal and Cole Seggery for Sunday’s match and Monday’s at Wimborne against Dorset.

Former Warwickshire, Derbyshire and Glamorgan all-rounder Graham Wagg will make his seasonal debut for Cornwall against Buckinghamshire at Tring on Sunday in Group Three.

Wagg, a former Shropshire captain, is joined by another former Shropshire man in Xavier Clarke, all-rounder Will MacVicar and debutant Mo Danyaal in the squad for the weekend-double header which also includes Monday’s match against Berkshire at Slough.

Buckinghamshire have named Northamptonshire batter Aadi Sharma and all-rounder Cameron Parsons in their squad for the Cornwall match.

Berkshire begin their Trophy campaign against Oxfordshire at Wormsley on Sunday and have named three graduates from their successful pathway programme in their squad for their senior debuts.

Batter Andrew MacEwen and left-and batter/slow left-armer Eddie Campion are available for both matches with Ben Salter available only for the Oxfordshire match.

Seamer Tommy Sturgess comes into the squad on Monday with Johnny Connell, who has been trialling with Essex, available for both games.

Devon, who beat Buckinghamshire at Instow last week, head to Abingdon Vale on Monday to play Oxfordshire, who are hosting county cricket there for the first time.

Oxfordshire were the visiting side for four Championship matches at Hale’s Meadow between 1965 and 1975 when it was a home venue for Berkshire before boundary changes.

Devon have named leg-spinner Ed Middleton in their side for the first time since he joined Gloucestershire three years ago.

Exeter’s 18-year-old left-arm pace bowler Josh Nott is in line to make his county debut and Scotland Under-19s batter Sam Elstone his first Trophy appearance. They replace Seb Linnitt, Fin Hill and Seb Allison.

Oxfordshire welcome back Tristan Rossouw who has recovered from a hand injury sustained in pre-season.

Batter Freddie Smith and Durham UCCE’s Oliver Armstrong will make their seasonal debuts against Berkshire with Tommy Rex returning in place of Armstrong on Monday.

National Counties Trophy

Sunday May 4 (11am)

Group One

Dunstable: Bedfordshire v Cumbria. Barton: Lincolnshire v Northumberland.

Group Two

Shrewsbury: Shropshire v Norfolk. West Bromwich Dartmouth: Staffordshire vHerefordshire.

Group Three

Tring: Buckinghamshire v Cornwall. Wormsley: Oxfordshire v Berkshire.

Group Four

Sudbrook: Wales NC v Hertfordshire. Marlborough: Wiltshire v Cheshire.

Monday May 5 (11am)

Group One

Dunstable: Bedfordshire v Lincolnshire. Peterborough: Cambridgeshire v Northumberland.

Group Two

Brockhampton: Herefordshire v Norfolk. Bignall End: Staffordshire v Suffolk.

Group Three

Slough: Berkshire v Cornwall. Abingdon Vale: Oxfordshire v Devon.