JULIAN CUP: Burnham set for final clash

Both Burnham CC and North Maidenhead CC are going into Tuesday’s Julian Cup final unsure of what to expect from their opponents.

A few years ago both teams met twice a season in the Home Counties League and regularly in the Julian Cup, and so knew each other well - but now North Maids are in the level below Burnham and the familiarity has been broken. But that could just add to the atmosphere on final night.

Burnham skipper Shaid Nadeem admits he has lost track of the North Maids team, but knows that his side are a match for anyone.

He said: “We are up for it. We want to win and get a boost which we can take into the league. We will have a very strong team out.

“We were strong in the semis against Boyne Hill, but we will be even stronger on Tuesday. Harveer Gandam is back which adds huge depth to the batting.”

Despite his confidence, Nadeem knows the fickle nature of Twenty20 cricket, saying: “I’m sure it will be a good game. Anything can happen. A few big hits can make all the difference.”

North Maids captain Simon Carter agreed with his opposite number that it’s anyone’s match, while acknowledging his team’s underdog status.

He said: “When we used to play in the same league as them, and played them on a regular basis, I knew what sort of game to expect.

“I knew how we would play and how they would play. But now there is a  bit more of the unknown - from them and us.”

He added: “However, they are always a good team in this type of cricket and their standout players are still the same.

“It’s just that I don’t know the others that well.”

Carter is also realistic about the make-up of his team, saying: “We are not as consistent as we used to be.

“I have an idea of how I want to play the game, but I don’t know if we will be able to do that or just try to match them smack for smack.

“We’ll just have to make sure we are at our best and try to match them in all departments.

“All teams crack under pressure and they are no different.

“We will have the best team we can put out midweek and hope that’s good enough."

Carter added: “Against Marlow things didn’t exactly go to plan, but we got through. We might have to think on our feet again if we are to lift the cup.”

Despite playing down his team’s chances, Carter knows his best chance of victory is to bat first and try to apply pressure on Burnham’s free-scoring line-up.

It should be a good contest although the smart money is solidly on a Burnham victory.

The match takes place at Boyne Hill CC’s ground on Tuesday, starting at 6pm.