Selection nightmare for Bedfordshire

WITH a whole squad of players unavailable, Bedfordshire are facing a selection nightmare for their final Minor Counties Championship match of the season against Lincolnshire at Wardown Park, Luton, beginning on Sunday.

They are particularly hard-pressed on the bowling front.

Andy McGarry’s impressive performances this season – he has taken 33 wickets in just four games – led to him being called up for the Unicorns squad to play Gloucestershire last weekend.

This Sunday the Unicorns take on Somerset in the Clydesdale Bank Pro 40 competition at Taunton and Beds are waiting to hear whether he will be required.

George Bacon, who would have been the obvious replacement, is injured and Bedfordshire are also short of a spinner with Chris Esh on holiday.

Rob Keogh and Andy Reynoldson, who could have filled in as well as considerably strengthening the batting, are both required by Northamptonshire’s second XI.

Bedfordshire had also hoped that wicketkeeper/batsman George Arblaster would return for this game but he again has work commitments which means there is another chance for county development squad keeper Greig Hofbauer who deputised more than competently against Staffordshire last week.

When Bedfordshire met Lincolnshire last season it was in a game which would decide the destination of the Eastern Division title.

Lincolnshire won to claim the crown.

Neither side has been as successful this campaign and indeed Bedfordshire must win to stand any chance of not finishing bottom.

The game starts at 11am on Sunday.