Cumberland have bowled themselves back into contention on the second day of their Minor Counties clash with Cambridgeshire at March.

Their hosts had raced to 110-1 on Sunday after bowling-out Cumberland for 240. Big-hitting opener Gary Freear had made 80 of those.

But after adding only five to his overnight total he was trapped leg before by Barrow’s Daryl Wareing and from that point Cumberland came back into the match.

Spinners James Beaumont of Middlesbrough (pictured) and Chris Miller of Netherfield both bowled long spells and were rewarded with three wickets apiece.

Beaumont finished with 3-68 from 35 overs while Miller picked-up 3-88 from his 21 overs and in the end Cambridgeshire were restricted to 284-8 – a lead of 44.

When Cumberland batted a second time opener Carl Hey made a very good 71 and there was solid support from Gary Pratt (28) and Andrew Gleave (24).

At the close Cumberland had reached 188-6 with James Smith 24 mot out and Beaumont 18 not out – a lead of 147.

If they can eke-out another 120 runs tomorrow morning and set their hosts around 250, with the wicket expected to take spin in the closing stages, they may have a chance of recording their first win of the season.

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