CRICKET: Berks confident about Minor Counties Champs

Berkshire manager David Morris is confident that a settled team and home advantage can swing success his team’s way in the four-day final in the Minor Counties Championship starting on Sunday.

The Royal County will entertain Lincolnshire, winners of the Eastern Division, at Falkland CC to decide which will be crowned the countries top minor county.

Morris said of the contest: “We are missing Paul Carter because he has just started a new job in cardiff and have brought in seamer bowler Nick Denning. However, this maintains the excellent team spirit in the side which is very important to us."

Berkshire were almost without James Morris - the manager's son - who also started a new job this week, but he was able to get time off from his new employer.

So with the team settled, barring any injuries the players might sustain for their clubs on Saturday, Berkshire are entering the final stage of a long season, but one they are hoping to end on a high.

Morris said: "We are playing at home - what the players call Fortress Falkland - and with a settled team so I am sure we’ll do well. But Lincolnshire are a good team with three former county professionals in their ranks, so it will be tough.

“With it being a four-day match, we should get a result, although the weather forecast isn’t good. If the match is a draw, the trophy is shared.

"We are expecting some decent crowds, I know Lincolnshire are bringing a lot of fans, so that will be good. It should be a excellent match and if we play to our strengths I'm sure we can win.

"Even at this late stage of the season playing a four-day match, the pitch at Falkand should last. "However, both teams have good spinners so are well equipped for whatever conditions they face."

A victory would cap a remarkable season for Berkshire who also reached the final of the Minor Counties Cup at Lord's which they lost to Devon.

The match on Sunday starts at 11am.

Berkshire: Mitchell Stokes, Dan Shivlock, David Barnes, James Morris, Steve Naylor, James Morris, Craig Crowe, Carl Crowe, Nick Denning, Richard Johnson, Tom Lambert. 12th man: Stuart Davison.