North battle to avoid wooden spoon

NORTHUMBERLAND enter the final game of an underwhelming summer looking to avoid the Minor Counties eastern division wooden spoon.

North, who take on Norfolk at Jesmond, trail second-bottom Bedfordshire by two points and are 13 behind Buckinghamshire.

After finishing level on points at the top with Lincolnshire last year, Northumberland’s fortunes have nosedived.

Unless there is a final flourish, Staurt Tiffin’s men will replicate their bottom finish in their one-day group with the same placing in the championship.

“We’ve had a couple of draws where we might have got a win,” said Tiffin, “but overall it’s been a real struggle.

“We have got a better team out for the final game but they have to step up to the plate and perform.”

Northumberland make two changes to the side beaten inside two days by leaders Lincolnshire last time out.

Tynedale spinner Tom Cant is recalled for his first game in two years and another bowler, Ben Quirk, also returns.

Professional Jacques du Toit has been unable to reproduce last year’s form with the bat in a struggling side.

North too often have been behind the eight-ball after a poor first innings, batting collapses another problem.

“They have both been problems,” added Tiffin “and we need to get a second professional on board for the 2018 season.”