It is Semi-Final Time in Cricketer Cup

The semi-finals of the Beechbrook Capital Cricketer Cup take place next Sunday 27 July. There will certainly be one relatively unfamiliar name at Arundel for the final on 10 August as Old Bedfordians take on Old Cliftonians. Bedford have never reached the final, while Clifton’s last two appearances were in 1993 as winners and 1994 as losing finalists, both games against the Old Tonbridgians. Clifton have Ollie Meadows, son of John Meadows who made an imperious 144 not out in the 1993 final, and two sons of Jeremy Brooks, who also played in that winning team. They have come through the hard way with a first round win over Oundle Rovers and then two away wins at Eastbourne and Cranleigh. Their opponents, Old Bedfordians, have a host of good players and have won both their last two matches at Sherborne and Stowe by 10 wickets - with two different opening pairs! Probably too much to expect the debut of another opener in Sir Alistair Cook, but home draw will make them hard to beat.

The other semi-final is between two teams with regular recent visits to the final at Arundel - Old Tonbridgians v Old Millfieldians at Tonbridge. Last year they met in the quarter-finals on a wicket made difficult by rain and even the presence of Kent Captain Daniel Bell-Drummond could not save the Somerset side. Tonbridge have a young side, strengthened this year by Oxford and Notts seamer Toby Pettman, but Millfield can call on a host of good players. Both won away from home in the quarters, Tonbridge at Repton and Millfield at holders Bradfield, so a tough game is expected.

Millfield team which won their quarter-final at Bradfield.