NCCA 50-Over Trophy Quarter-Final Preview

Norfolk have named Worcestershire batter/off-spinner Josh Cobb in their side for Sunday’s National Counties Trophy quarter-final against Lincolnshire at Great Witchingham.

Cobb missed the defeat by Suffolk in Norfolk’s final Group Two match two weeks ago because he was required for Vitality Blast duty by Worcestershire..

Cobb joined Worcestershire from Northamptonshire on a white ball cricket only contract during the winter and as he is not required for the Vitality County Championship match against Durham at the Riverside he is available to play for Norfolk.

The return of Cobb is the only change Norfolk have made to their squad with Arthur Wilcox the man making way.

Lincolnshire, the only one of the quarter-finalists yet to win the Trophy, have also made just one change to the squad that was on duty for last week’s victory over Cumbria at Bourne.

Left-hander and slow left-armer Joe Pocklington returns to the squad for the first time since the victory over Northumberland last month.

“Lincolnshire are very strong and they have always been strong,” said Norfolk coach Tom New.

“They have a very good pro in Mark Footitt and the new coaching regime that has come in over the last couple of years I know very well and I’m sure they will progress the county very quickly as well.”

Defending champions Berkshire, who are seeking to extend their record-breaking run to five successive titles, have recalled hard-hitting batter Matt Dalrymple for their tie against Dorset at Slough in a repeat of last season’s quarter-final.

Dalrymple replaces Yash Lakhani in the only change to the squad that was involved in last week’s defeat by Buckinghamshire.

Charlie Dunnett will be back on National Counties duty having played for Warwickshire’s Second XI against Worcestershire earlier this week.

Dorset have lost Felix Organ to County Championship duty with Hampshire but welcome back Joe Eckland, another Hampshire staff man.

Greg Willows also returns to the squad in place of Ben Chaffey in the other change to the squad that was on duty against Wiltshire two weeks ago.

Former Leicestershire slow left-armer James Sykes returns to Cambridgeshire’s side for their local derby against Suffolk at Exning.

Sykes missed the victory over Bedfordshire last week which clinched top spot in Group One and a home quarter-final, albeit one that will be played at a ground in Suffolk.

Dan Andrew and Will Routledge also return in place of Ben Seabrook and Sam Robinson, who made his debut against Bedfordshire.

Suffolk, who held off Herefordshire’s late charge last week to finish as runners-up in Group Two, have recalled all-rounder Jack Beaumont in a straight swap with opening batter Darren Batch.

Sam Perry, whose century against Dorset last month helped Cheshire top Group Four, returns to face Devon at Oxton.

Perry was unavailable for last week’s high-scoring victory over Wiltshire at Didsbury but returns having played for Lancashire’s Second XI against Middlesex at Liverpool this week.

Andy Dufty, who has yet to play for the county this season, is also included in Cheshire’s squad but fellow seamer Rob Lord is again missing as he is trialling with Nottinghamshire.

Devon are missing seamer Matt Skeemer who is unable to travel because of work commitments but leg-spinner Will Christophers returns having recovered from the shoulder injury that ruled him out of last week’s defeat by Cornwall.

Slow left-armer Max Shepherd, who was twelfth man last week, retains his place in a 12-man squad.

The match at Oxton will start at 12pm – an hour later than the other quarter-finals – as Devon’s players face a long drive north on Saturday night.

In the semi-finals on August 4 the winners of Norfolk v Lincolnshire will have home advantage against either Cambridgeshire or Suffolk with the winners of the Cheshire v Devon toe hosting either Berkshire or Dorset.

National Counties Trophy quarter-finals

Sunday June 30

Exning: Cambridgeshire v Suffolk (11am)

Great Witchingham: Norfolk v Lincolnshire (11am)

Slough: Berkshire v Dorset (11am)

Oxton: Cheshire v Devon (12pm)