Whittaker rescues Cheshire

Jason Whittaker and Matthew Dawson led the way as Minor Counties champions Cheshire extended their winning start to the season.

Both hit half-centuries to help their side beat Shropshire in the MCCA Knockout Trophy by virtue of a faster run-rate in a rain-affected meeting at Neston.

Wicketkeeper Dawson top-scored with an unbeaten 59, while all-rounder Whittaker weighed in a with an important 52 as Cheshire, having been put in to bat, recovered from 100 for six to post a respectable 219 for seven in 50 overs in their second group match.

Dawson and Whittaker, who each hit four fours and a six in their innings, shared in a spirited seventh-wicket stand of 103 before the latter was dismissed in the penultimate over of the innings.

Cheshire had slipped to 23 for three and, having been forced to take an early lunch at 60 for three, lost three further wickets for 40 runs after the restart.

However, Danny Leech (35) and Nathan Dumelow (23) chipped in with useful runs before Dawson and Whittaker carried Cheshire to a defendable total.

In reply, Shropshire were struggling at 49 for three when heavy rain brought an abrupt end to proceedings.

Cheshire's run-rate of 4.38 was superior to the visitors' 2.66, making it two wins out of two for last year's Trophy finalists.

Whittaker was the pick of Cheshire's bowlers with 2-8 from 5.4 accurate overs, while fellow seamer Adam Syddall took 1-18 from seven.

"To recover from 100 for six was a very valiant effort - it just shows the strength in depth we've got," said team manager Sandy Scrimgeour.

"We didn't expect to get a game because it rained all the way to the ground, so credit to Neston for getting the game on.

"It's another good win for us. If we win our next group match then we should qualify for the quarter-finals."

Cheshire skipper Andy Hall praised his side for the "character" they showed - and is now willing his ambitious charges to beat Oxfordshire at Great and Little Tew this Sunday.

With Bedfordshire and Cumberland rained off in the other match in Group A, another victory would secure Cheshire’s quarter-final place.

"We had a mini-batting collapse, but we showed a lot of character to get back on track," said Hall. "Jason and Daws batted really well to get us out of trouble.

"It was going well with the ball until the heavens opened. We couldn’t have asked for a better start. Hopefully we can beat Oxfordshire to qualify for the next stage."

Cheshire 219 for seven (50 overs) Dawson 59no, Whittaker 52, Leech 35; Shropshire 48 for three (18.4 overs) Syddall 1-18, Whittaker 2-8. Cheshire (2pts) beat Shropshire (0pts) on a faster run-rate.