Intriguing climax likely in National Counties Division One title races: Cornwall and Herefordshire involved in relegation battle | Bucks tipped to win Eastern Division

Cornwall captain Paul Smith – first appearance of the season in game against Herefordshire

PAUL BOLTON REPORTING

THERE is everything still to play for in an intriguing final round of NCCA Cluberly Championship matches which get under way tomorrow (Sunday).

The Eastern and Western Division titles – both First and Second Division – and the two relegation places have yet to be decided with 14 of the 16 counties in action on an exciting final weekend of the regular season involved in at least one of those issues.

Tension is likely to be greatest in Western Division One where 17 points separate leaders Devon from bottom side Cornwall with only Berkshire, who have already completed their programme, the only one of the five counties who cannot win the title.

Devon are the only side to have won so far this season with their victory over Cornwall at Cornwood giving them an 11 points advantage over Oxfordshire, who visit Sidmouth this weekend.

Devon have recalled Ben Privett and Harry Passenger to replace Matt Skeemer and Jamie Stephens, who have work commitments, with Somerset Academy all-rounder Seb Linnitt coming in for Luke Medlock in the other change to the side that drew with Herefordshire.

Seamer Matt Jeacock, who has not featured since round one when Devon drew with Berkshire, is a late addition to the squad as an extra bowling option.

Oxfordshire have named a much-changed side to the one that ended Berkshire’s hopes of topping the division by drawing with them at Thame. George Tait, Freddie Smith, Arjun Ramkumar, Luke Maslen and Luke Hayes are the only survivors named in a 12-man squad.

Contracted Sussex batter Harrison Ward is again ruled out by an injury sustained against Berkshire so Tait will lead the side with all-rounder Freddie Fowler called up for a possible debut.

Cornwall host Herefordshire at Redruth in what may prove to be the relegation decider and they have been boosted by the return of captain Paul Smith who will make his first Championship appearance of the season having missed the first three through paternity commitments.

Callington batter Ollie Allsop is called up for his county debut and former Devon slow left-armer Fahad Sabir is recalled.

Herefordshire, who go into the match five points clear of Cornwall, have made four changes to the side that drew with Devon at Eastnor.

Pace bowler Sam Keeling-Wright makes his first Championship appearance of a season which has included trialling with Northamptonshire and being sidelined by a shoulder injury. Harry Sockett, Cyrus Shafi and Imaad Mahmood are also recalled.

Buckinghamshire are favourites to take the Eastern Division One title having beaten defending champions Staffordshire by one wicket in a thriller at Stafford last week.

Suffolk are the current leaders but have completed their programme and, with a lead of just three points, it is unlikely that they will still be top by Tuesday evening.

Buckinghamshire take on Lincolnshire at High Wycombe with the visitors 12 points adrift of Cambridgeshire at the foot of the table and needing a win to have any chance to avoiding relegation.

Cambridgeshire host Staffordshire, who trail Buckinghamshire by ten points, at Peterborough where both sides need to win and hope that Lincolnshire can thwart Buckinghamshire to open a route to next week’s final.