Cheshire calm for season finale

Andrew Hall returns to lead Cheshire as they look to book their place in the final

Cheshire team manager Sandy Scrimgeour has told his players to stay calm as they edge closer to the Minor Counties Championship final.

Cheshire are just one win away from booking their place in next month's four-day final at Alderley Edge, as they lead the Western Division by seven points ahead of Sunday's final league game against fellow challengers Cornwall.

Four teams are separated by just 11 points at the top, with Berkshire currently in second place.

But Scrimgeour knows that if Cheshire pull off a result they will contest the final on their own ground.

He said: "They have all been big games for us this year, and we have just got to keep doing what we have been doing.

"It has been a tight league, and there are four teams still in it. Cornwall can still win the league if they beat us and nobody else wins. It is exciting for the fans."

Scrimgeour has named a 13-man squad for the clash, and has included regular captain Andrew Hall following his absence from the last game at Herefordshire due to work commitments. Nathan Dumelow is expected to relinquish the captaincy.

Dumelow and former Derbyshire team-mate Ben Spendlove were star performers in the last game against Hereford at Eastnor.

Spendlove hit 124 and 46, while Dumelow claimed 4-65 with his off-spin and cracked 53 off just 26 balls in the second innings.

"Ben's batting has been solid all season," continued Scrimgeour. "But it would be wrong to single anybody out. It has been a real team effort throughout the summer. If one person fails, somebody else steps up."