TREVOR Smith is set to make his Suffolk comeback in the final match of the Minor Counties Championship season starting at Bury St Edmunds on Sunday.The 29-year-old has been included in the 12-strong squad for a game that could see Suffolk retain the Eastern Division title.

By Elvin King

TREVOR Smith is set to make his Suffolk comeback in the final match of the Minor Counties Championship season starting at Bury St Edmunds on Sunday.

The 29-year-old has been included in the 12-strong squad for a game that could see Suffolk retain the Eastern Division title.

Third-placed Suffolk entertain Lincolnshire, who are two points ahead of them. Buckinghamshire, who visit Northumberland next week, are top of the table, and it is set to be an exciting end to the season.

The winners of the division will play the Western Division winners - Devon - away from home in the play-off final. Last year Suffolk drew at home to Cheshire to share the trophy.

Andy Brown, the Suffolk coach, said: “We have claimed maximum bowling bonus points this year, but we are aware that we need to bowl Lincolnshire out twice in a match that we must win.

“Andrew McGarry has had to bowl too many overs and this has lessened his effectiveness at times. With Trevor around it would give us more options, although we will not make a decision until we look at the wicket.”

Former Derbyshire pace bowler Smith made his Suffolk debut in 2002 and has taken 87 wickets in 22 matches with an average of 25.97. He was not available at the start of this season, but has been on standby for the last three games.

Former England Test spin bowler Chris Schofield is expected to return having missed the Staffs win with a hamstring strain. He is in a squad that does not include Bury St Edmunds batsman Tim Catley, who has committed himself to play football in goal for Ely City for the whole Ridgeons League campaign.

“Effectively we went into the Staffs match with four opening batsmen after bringing Andrew Mawson in for Chris Schofield,” added Brown. With Chris Swallow excelling with the bat this season, it will not weaken the batting if we go in with an extra bowler this time. Chris Schofield's return will also strengthen the batting.

“It is a game both us and Lincolnshire will be going all out to win, and we will be hoping for the right result - and for Bucks to get beaten at Jesmond where we suffered a big defeat in our last game last year.”

Suffolk are unbeaten this season in three-day and one-day games, missing out on a chance to play in yesterday's Minor Counties Knock-Out Cup final at Lord's when rain washed out two qualifying games.

Admission is free for all three days at the Victory Ground, Bury St Edmunds with play starting at 11am each day.

Suffolk squad: P Caley, T Huggins, A Mawson, M Cull, N Lee, C Schofield, C Warn, J Bishop, C Swallow, T Smith, P King and A McGarry.