Cumberland have put themselves into a good position on the first day of their Minor Counties crunch clash with Suffolk.

The League leaders won the toss and invited Cumberland to bat first at Sedbergh School but it was a decision they may bitterly regret.

In their 90 overs Cumberland reached 354-9 and then in a dramatic final session initiated a Suffolk collapse by taking three quick wickets to leave them with a lot to do at 68-3.

Cumberland’s innings was built around two century stands and a late quick-fire unbeaten 66 from Bradford and Bingley all-rounder Chris Thompson.

Opener Jonathan Miles (59) and skipper Gary Pratt (47) had figured in  stand of 113 for the third wicket while wicket-keeper Ikram Ullah (58) and Netherfield's Alex Atkinson (49) added 109 for the fifth wicket.

Opening bowler Paul King took 4-58 for Suffolk while there were a couple of wickets each for two spinners James Finch and skipper Tom Huggins, a former Northants County Championship player.

Huggins and the Dutch international Freddie Klokker put on 55 for the first wicket when Suffolk took their turn to bat, but then the visitors slumped to 58-3 at the close of play.

Wicket keeper Ikram took three catches – two off Marcus Sharp and the other off Thompson to send Huggins, Klokker and Mohammad Adnan back to the pavilion before the close.

Cumberland had to make a late change to their side with Blackpool’s Richard Gleeson brought in for his debut when another potential debutant Luis Reece of Leyland had to pull-out after being injured playing for his club on Saturday.

Gleeson has taken 222 wickets in the Northern League for Blackpool, including 45 this season, following his debut in 2003.

Cumberland need to beat Suffolk, restricting the number of bonus points they earn, and then hope the game between second and third, Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire finishes in a draw.

Cumberland
J Lowe b King 13
J. Miles c Rees b Huggins 59
M. Brown lbw b King 0
G Pratt c Rees b King 47
Ikram Ullah c Warn b Huggins 58
A Atkinson c Huggins b Finch 49
J Smith c Batch b Rees 16
C. Thompson not out 66
C Marsden c and b Finch 14
R. Gleason c Lee b King 0
M Sharp not out 7
Extras 25
Total (for 9 wickets) 354
Bowling: King 15-2-58-4; Rees 10-0-55-1; France 16-1-52-0; Finch 28-6-98-2; Batch 5-1-21-0; Huggins 16-4- 48-2.

Suffolk
T Huggins c Ikram b Thompson 22
F Klokker c Ikram b Sharp 11
M Cull not out 6
M Adnan c Ikram b Sharp 2
B France not out 3
Extras 24
Total (for 3 wickets) 68
Bowling: Sharp 12-2-28-2; Gleeson 8-1-24-0; Thompson 4-3-2-1.

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