Cricket: BUCKS will be without star all-rounder Bobby Sher when they open their Minor Counties championship campaign with a long trip to face Cumberland at Barrow-in-Furness, starting on Monday.

The Slough captain, who took the wicket of Andrew Flintoff in Bucks' C&G Trophy match against Lancashire, topped the whole championship bowling averages last season but has had to fly back to Pakistan for family reasons, and so is missing as Bucks aim to have another good summer in the Eastern Division after finishing third in 2004. Prolific Reading batsman David Barr is also absent.

Confusingly, Bucks have picked two players called Andy Ward, from Slough, for the match.

Wicket-keeper Andy Ward has been a regular in the side for the past two years, but the county have now called up leg-spinner Andy Ward, who is a member of both Slough and Teddington.

The only other Bucks player new to championship cricket is High Wycombe all-rounder Mark Wright, who impressed during their convincing victory over Surrey 2nd last month.

Bucks team to face Cumberland: P Atkins (Dinton) (C), R Lane (Slough), K Medlycott (Sutton), M Eyles, P Sawyer, M Wright, J Harrison (all High Wycombe), A Ward (Slough/Teddington). 12th man: T Brooks (Tring Park).

Bucks warmed up for the championship with an exciting two-run victory over MCC Young Cricketers at Burnham.

Graeme Paskins top-scored for Bucks with 45, while the MCC team replied with 176-9, having failed to score the eight runs required from the final over.

Scores: Bucks 178 (48.5 overs, G Paskins 45, R Lane 35), MCC Young Cricketers 176-9 (S Stanway 2-24, A B Ward 2-28).

Meanwhile, Bucks are hosting a Four Counties Twenty20 Tournament at Burnham CC on Sunday, June 26. The competition, which will be sponsored by NatWest Bank, will also involve Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Play starts on two pitches at 10am. Entrance is £2, while car parking is free. Bucks are hoping that a big crowd of fans will come to watch this exciting form of cricket and enjoy a great day out.