CRICKET: The final of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy is on Saturday – but by then a number of Minor Counties teams will already be knocked out of next year's competition.

CRICKET

THE final of the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy is on Saturday – but by then a number of Minor Counties teams will already be knocked out of next year's competition.

Suffolk were bidding to avoid that early exit when they took on Buckingham- shire at Dinton today.

Skipper Phil Caley, county coach Andy Brown, stand-in keeper Andrew Mawson and Trevor Smith provided the experience to the Suffolk side, along with Clacton opening bowler Gary Kirk.

Suffolk and Buckinghamshire players got to know each other in the pavilion at Wamil Way when their Minor Counties match was a complete wash-out last week.

That was particularly frustrating for Suffolk, as they were denied the chance to win well and perhaps snatch the Eastern Division title. Instead, not a ball was bowled over the three days and Norfolk finished top of the table to earn a place in the Minor Counties Championship match.

Kevin Brooks, Suffolk's director of cricket, said: "It's important for us to try to get a third-round tie because the financial benefits of hosting a first-class county next season are considerable."

If Suffolk win today they will earn a home tie against Shropshire at Bury St Edmunds on September 12.

Suffolk team: R Catley, A Brown, A Mawson (wkt), I Morton, P Caley (capt), M Catley, C Swallow, T Smith, K Shaw, P King and G Kirk. 12th man Tim Percival.