Berkshire will be bidding to win the NCCA (previously MCCA) 50/50 Trophy for the eighth time in 20 years when they take on Cumbria at Sir Paul Getty’s Wormsley Estate ground in Stokenchurch on Sunday, August 27.
This will be their fourth successive final against Cumbria, though they were known as Cumberland in 2019.
Berks won that tie by just one-run, but the next two occasions brought more comfortable victories, by 151 runs in 2021 and a year later by five wickets.
Current captain Dan Lincoln, Andy Rishton, Euan Woods, Tom Nugent and Luke Beaven played in all three finals with slow left-arm bowler Beaven among the wickets in each of them and paceman Rishton claiming six in the last two.
Twelve months ago, Woods top-scored with 84 and Jack Davies made 64, the pair adding 135 for the third wicket as Berks reached their target of 228 with more than 11 overs to spare.
If bad weather prevents the final from being played on Sunday, then it will take place on Monday, a Bank Holiday.
With the game starting at 11am, admission on the day is £12.50 but £10 if a ticket is purchased in advance via the NCCA website. There is no charge for children.
Hospitality, consisting of a two-course meal but does not include drinks, can be ordered at £45 per person, which includes entry to the ground. For more details, email info@nationalcountiesca.co.uk
There will be a selection of food and drinks available at the venue.
Spectators are advised to take their own seating.
Meanwhile, Berkshire’s reign as NCCA Championship holders has come to an end.
Having headed the Western Division 1 table following their final game last week, they were pushed down to second place by Devon, who defeated Herefordshire by 80 runs at Sidmouth on Tuesday.
Berkshire, who had one win and three draws, finished nine points behind the new champions and one point better off than third-placed Oxfordshire.
Oxon hopes of lifting the title ended when they lost to Cheshire by 73 runs at Banbury.
Devon will meet Eastern Division winners Buckinghamshire in the Championship final at West Bromwich Dartmouth from September 3 to 6, having both been promoted 12 months ago.
Herefordshire, the only county not to win a game in the top division, are relegated and will be replaced by Division 2 champions Cornwall.
By Dave Wright
