Pratt’s so wary of threat by Staffs

STAFFORDSHIRE will pose the biggest threat to Cumberland’s defence of the Unicorns Championship, according to captain Gary Pratt.

Cumberland’s long-standing skipper guided his team to the quarter-finals of the Unicorns Trophy for just the third time in the last 11 years with a six-wicket win over Norfolk on Sunday.

He credits the momentum gained from winning the three-day Championship last year for their limited-overs improvement – and they open up their Eastern Division redball campaign against Suffolk on June 5 before the crucial meeting with Staffordshire.

“It has been an excellent start to the season,” said the former Durham player, whose side won three of their four trophy group games with the other being abandoned.

“We’ve lost Richard Gleeson back to Northamptonshire now though, so he will be a big loss.”

Despite the loss Norfolk had already done enough to secure second in Group 3 and qualify for the quarter-finals.

Pratt top-scored for Cumberland with an unbeaten 74 as Toby Bulcock’s 5-51 helped skittle Norfolk out for 220.

Reigning champions Cornwall ended their defence with a 108-run win over Oxfordshire, Brad Wadlan starring with 132 off just 110 balls, but it was not enough as they finished third in Group 1 and missed out on a quarterfinal place.

Dorset lost to Devon in the group’s other fixture but still did enough to top the standing as both sides progress to the quarter-finals, Devon’s Robert Woodman top-scoring with 52.

Staffordshire were one of two sides to collect maximum points from their four games, beating Shropshire by eight wickets to top Group 2, as Matthew Parkinson (4-13) ripped through the home side’s middle order.

Shropshire finished bottom of the table, with Wales above them after they beat Herefordshire by 51 runs on Duckworth Lewis, Gareth Ansell scoring 54 to set up the win.

Despite the loss Herefordshire qualify for the quarter-finals with Cheshire just missing out in third place.

Bedfordshire were the other side to collect maximum points and had already secured their spot atop Group 4 before Wiltshire joined them in the quarter-finals with a win over Buckinghamshire, courtesy of 52 from Uzair Qureshi.