SUFFOLK GO WITH EXPERIENCE

By ELVIN KING

SUFFOLK are waiting for confirmation from opening batsman Andrew Mawson before finalising their side to play Cheshire in the Minor Counties play-off final at Ransomes Sports ground, Ipswich starting on Sunday.

Mawson is still unsure whether he can get time off work, and
Suffolk director of cricket Kevin Brooks said: "We will move on when we know
what Andrew's position is. He is a PE teacher and went back to school this
week."

Suffolk are also waiting for confirmation from Derbyshire that they can include batsman Ben France in their squad. The left handed batsman excelled for Suffolk in 2004 before earning a two-year contract with the first class county.

But former England test star Devon Malcolm is fit after missing the last two matches and comes back into the reckoning along with batsman Tobias Hembry.

"We will pick the strongest and most experienced side that we can," added Brooks.

"We don't know too much about Cheshire, but it is obvious from their records this year that spin bowlers Chris Schofield and Nathan Dumelow do the lion's share of their batting and bowling."

Spectators will be able to watch free for the three days with play starting at 11.0 on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Instead of a maximum of 90 overs per side in the first innings there will be a limit of 70 in this play-off in an attempt to gain a result.

Both sides will receive their divisional pennants before the start of play on Sunday, with the trophy for the overall winners being presented on Tuesday.

The Minor Counties Cricket Association will award a man of the match prize.

There will be a bar and light refreshments will be available with a draw being held each day.

SUFFOLK LOOKING TO AVOID GETTING IN A SPIN

By ELVIN KING
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SUFFOLK will be doing all they can to avoid getting themselves into a spin when they face Cheshire in the Minor Counties Championship play-off final at Ransomes sports ground, Ipswich starting on Sunday September 11.

Cheshire, who won the Western Division after winning three and drawing three of their matches, have been well served by two former first class slow bowlers.

Chris Schofield, who was previously with Lancashire and has played Test cricket for England, has taken 21 wickets, while Nathan Dumelow is a former Derbyshire bowler and has taken 28 wickets.

Schofield was the great spinning hope of English cricket a few years ago and was on an England contract. But his career has failed to make the strides many experts expected.

Both Schofield and Dumelow have also proved themselves handy with the bat this season with the former scoring 432 runs for Cheshire and the latter 454.

Kevin Brooks, Suffolk's director of cricket, plans to counteract the threat of Schofield and Dumelow. He said: "We will be concentrating on facing leg break bowling in our practice sessions before the Cheshire match. We have a bowling machine and local bowlers we can use.

"And if the Ransomes wicket is true to its usual form it should minimise the threat the spinners carry."

Suffolk, who won the Eastern Division for the first time since 1985 with four wins, one draw and one defeat, will select a 12-strong squad after this weekend.

Those who are not playing next Saturday will meet up in Ipswich in readiness for the start of the three-day match the following day.

Ben France scored a hatful of runs for Suffolk in 2004 and earned himself a two-year contract with Derbyshire.

He has found himself in the Derby second team of late and with their championship matches now over, France might well be available.

"If Derbyshire give us permission to use Ben we will certainly consider it," said Brooks, who has admitted that Suffolk's batsman have not always come up with the goods this year.

Tobias Hembry will also be considered now that his association with Worcestershire seconds has ended for the year, and if Devon Malcolm's fitness is fine then he will also come into the reckoning along with the 11 players who lost so heavily to Northumberland in the county's last game.

One player not in the running is Clacton allrounder Ian Morton, who was a regular in the side for the previous two seasons.

"Ian's ability is not in question, but he has not played much cricket this year because of personal commitments," said Brooks.

There are opportunities for corporate hospitality for spectators on the first two days at Ransomes. On Sunday Suffolk members and their guests can enjoy full catering facilities for £25 a head, and on Monday corporate tables are available at £300 for ten - with two or three still remaining.

To book a place in a special marquee telephone Kevin Brooks on 07796 263234.

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