SUFFOLK director of cricket Kevin Brooks has confirmed that places are still up for grabs for the county's cup final at Lord's on August 27.After losing for the first time in nearly two years in their previous Minor Counties Championship game at home to Cambridgeshire two weeks ago, Suffolk will be looking to get back to winning ways in their three-day match against Buckinghamshire that starts at Burnham tomorrow.

By Elvin King

SUFFOLK director of cricket Kevin Brooks has confirmed that places are still up for grabs for the county's cup final at Lord's on August 27.

After losing for the first time in nearly two years in their previous Minor Counties Championship game at home to Cambridgeshire two weeks ago, Suffolk will be looking to get back to winning ways in their three-day match against Buckinghamshire that starts at Burnham tomorrow.

Suffolk play Cheshire at Lord's in the final of the Minor Counties Knock-Out Trophy on Bank Holiday Monday, and Brooks says that no team has been picked for the prestigious game.

“At this time no one can be assured of their place in the Lord's side,” said Brooks. “The players are all aware that they have got to improve their performance after the Cambridgeshire defeat.

“They are all aware of what is required.

“We have a big month ahead of us, and at the moment we are concentrating on beating Buckinghamshire.

“If we achieve that then we will go into our final three-day game at Lincolnshire with a chance of winning the eastern division title. This is our aim.”

Buckinghamshire won this title last year in a season when the fixture rotation dictated that they did not meet Suffolk, who went through 2006 unbeaten in all competitions.

Bucks are currently second from bottom, with Lincolnshire bottom.

“With so much bad weather about the table is not a true reflection this year,” added Brooks. “We expect two very difficult games before we start thinking too deeply about Lord's.

“What we are hoping for is for our batters to hit form, and that we can bounce back from that Cambridgeshire defeat.”

Suffolk make one change from the one that lost by 141 runs to Cambs with all-rounder Chris Swallow available and replacing injured batsman Martyn Cull.

Suffolk team: P Caley (capt), T Huggins, B France, A Mawson, N Lee, C Swallow, C Warn, J Bishop, P King, P Edwards, M Smith.