Beaten Norfolk set for away test in Minor Counties Unicorns Knockout Trophy quarter-finals
MCCA Unicorns Knockout Trophy. Norfolk (batting) vs Cumberland at Fakenham Cricket Club. At the crease is Lewis Denmark. Picture: Ian Burt
Norfolk fluffed their lines at Highfield Lawn as they squandered the chance to win their Minor Counties Unicorns Knockout Trophy group.
While Chris Brown side's progression to the quarter-finals had already been secured prior to yesterday's match in Fakenham, they knew the fixture against Cumberland – a straight shoot-out for top spot in Group Three – remained crucial. Importantly, they were only too aware that first place would set up a home tie in the last eight – something Norfolk haven't enjoyed at that stage for the last three years – a hurdle they have failed to breach on a trio of successive occasions.
Having won their previous three matches, hopes were high that Norfolk could get the job done. But it was not to be as the hosts were beaten and must now take their dreams of reaching the last four on the road.
Norfolk had given themselves a chance when a 98-run partnership between Jordan Taylor (63) and Lewis Denmark (78) hauled their team from 31-3 into three figures. The latter teamed up with Ashley Watson to keep things ticking along after Taylor had departed as the morning's group leaders reached 220 before they lost their final wicket.
Jonathan Miles (52) and captain Gary Pratt (74 not out) put the visitors in control and in the end it was more than comfortable with Cumberland easing home with eight overs remaining to clinch an important six-wicket triumph.
You may also want to watch:
As a result of their first defeat in the 2016 competition, Norfolk will now visit Staffordshire on June 12 while Cumberland will attempt to enjoy home comforts against Devon.
Most Read
- 1 Norfolk wakes up to snow with more expected to fall
- 2 Londoners fined for travelling to stay at second home in Norfolk
- 3 Drivers face non-essential travel fines after spate of snow crashes
- 4 Covid case rates continue to fall across Norfolk and Waveney
- 5 Voyeur watched people after setting up secret cameras in bathroom
- 6 Are you in our Norfolk school photos from the 1970s?
- 7 Government must step in to help 'desperate' Norwich hospital, says MP
- 8 Woman in 60s suffers serious injuries after car crashes into ditch
- 9 Photo gallery: Snow turns region into winter wonderland
- 10 Several burst mains in town leave homes without water