Oram returns as Beds make three changes

BEDFORDSHIRE have made three changes to their side for the Minor Counties Championships clash with Cumberland, starting at Bedford Modern School on Sunday, writes Mike Simmonds

Will Sneath, George Arblaster and Ollie Swann all miss out, with James Kerr, Andy Oram and Daniel Simpson taking their places.

Sneath, who returned to the side last week, picking up 3-53, is taking the U14 Beds side on tour and his place goes to Oram.

The 37-year-old wins only his second cap for the county, the first coming back in 2009, coincidentally against Cumberland, where he went wicketless from his eight overs, but scored 38 runs in an eight-wicket defeat. He has played 19 first class matches in a spell at Nottinghamshire between 1997-98, averaging a healthy 29 with the ball.

Oram has been in superb form for Northampton Saints in the Northants Premier League, taking 32 wickets at just 8.82.

Arblaster is out too with farming commitments, after impressing with the gloves in recent weeks, so Kerr, captain of Ampthill, makes his debut for Beds. The 24-year-old has hit one century this year in his 604 club runs.

Finally, Swann misses out with Simpson making his first appearance of the year. The batsman only scored 86 runs in seven innings last season, but has earned another chance.

Beds are hopeful that Andy Reynoldson continues the form that has seen him score 241 runs and also take 15 wickets.

Experienced bowler Andy McGarry once again misses out with work commitments, while opponents Cumberland are captained by Gary Pratt, who famously ran out Australia captain Ricky Ponting during England’s Ashes victory in 2007.

With only three of the 28 matches in the division this season seeing a positive result, Beds still have a chance of success, as they are just 14 points behind leaders Staffordshire.

Beds XI: Oliver Clayson, Steve Stubbings, James Kerr, George Thurstance, Andy Reynoldson, Daniel Simpson, Dan Bendon, Martin Weightman, Chris Esh, Colin Griggs, Andy Oram.

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