LINCOLNSHIRE v CUMBERLAND AT CLEETHORPES

FROM CHRIS KEYWOOD - CHAIRMAN, LINCOLNSHIRE CCC


In a match of fluctuating fortunes Lincolnshire drew their Minor Counties Eastern Division match against Cumberland at Cleethorpes. In hot and sunny conditions Cumberland won the toss and had no hesitation in deciding to bat first. Their openers made a solid start reaching 41 before Adam Shepherd bowled opener Jon Miles. Lincolnshire then took a firm grip on the game as Cumberland slumped from 71 for 1 to 107 for 8 with Shepherd, Harry Clewett and Brett Houston all amongst the wickets. Jack White and Liam Parkinson then took the score to 146 before White was dismissed by Shepherd. There then followed what would prove to be the turning point in the match as Parkinson and Scott Richardson added 93 for the last wicket before Clewett dismissed Richardson for 22 with the total on 239, leaving Parkinson undefeated on 79. Shepherd with 4 for 78 and Clewett with 3 for 31 were Lincolnshire's most successful bowlers.
Lincolnshire lost Jon Cheer for 1 before Dan Birch and Matt Lineker added 143 for the second wicket, Lineker being dismissed for 44 just before close of play on day one. The second morning saw Lincolnshire falter badly going from 160 for 2 to 164 for 6, paceman Richard Gleeson removing Warwick, Evison and Bramley in quick succession.  Birch raced to 108 in 111 balls  before being caught. Oliver Burford with 41 and Brett Houston with 26 added a further 71 before Houston fell to spinner Bulcock. Lincolnshire closed on 266, a small first innings lead of 27. Gleeson with 4 for 100 and Bulcock with 3 for 79 were Cumberland's most successful bowlers.
By close of play on day two Cumberland had reached 215 for 3, with their captain Gary Pratt, 68 not out. On the third morning Cumberland continued to progress with Pratt reaching his century off 181 balls. Ably supported by Chris Williams with 64 and Logan Weston with 55 Cumberland eventually declared on 352 for 8 setting Lincolnshire' 324 to win.
Lincolnshire faced an uphill task to reach this target and lost Dan Birch (33) and Jon Cheer (12) with the total on 46. There then followed a fine stand 154 between Matt Lineker and Harry Warwick before youngster Warwick was dismissed for a patient and well constructed 35. Lineker continued on  and when time was called he was 109 not out, the third century of the match. Lincolnshire finished on 214 for 3. Both teams took 10 points from the game.
Lincolnshire's next match is against Staffordshire at Longton, near Stoke, commencing on Sunday, 21st July.