BERKSHIRE will be hoping that history repeats itself when they take on Lincolnshire in the final of the MCCA Unicorns Counties Championship at the Wormsley cricket ground next Sunday to Wednesday (11am each day).

The Royal County defeated Lincolnshire when winning the 2008 final by eight wickets – despite days one and three being washed out.

The victorious side included James Morris and Tom Lambert – the current team captain and head coach.

And the team manager in those days was David Morris, the father of James and vice-captain Richard, and who still attends all of the County’s games.

Earlier in that 2008 season, Berkshire had reached the final of the MCCA Trophy at Lord’s, only for their injury-hit side to lose to Devon by 40 runs.

At the time David Morris described it as a “real vintage year” and he will no doubt be saying much the same if he sees James lift the trophy next week.

Berkshire’s title hopes suffered a setback last month when their game away to Cornwall was washed out at a time when they had their hosts on the ropes, allowing Shropshire to go top of the table with their win over Cheshire.

However, the wheel of fortune turned full circle as Shropshire were deducted all the 24 points they secured as they fielded an ineligible player and so the Royal County were back on top.

“That is where we deserve to be,” said coach Lambert. “We defeated Shropshire very convincingly and we are definitely the best side in the Western Division. Now we want to show we are the best team in the country at our level of cricket.”

The Royal County have remained unbeaten in their last two championship campaigns, and have retained the same squad that hammered Dorset by 327 runs in under two days at Finchampstead last week.

Berkshire squad: Ollie Wilkin (Ealing), Waqas Hussain (Slough), James Morris (capt, Datchet), Richard Morris (Henley), Billy Rogers (Finchampstead), Andy Rishton (Finchampstead), Euan Woods (Henley), Stewart Davison (wkt, Henley), Chris Peploe (Datchet), Matt Carter (Finchampstead), Tom Nugent (Henley), Ali Raja (Slough).

Admission is £10 per day or £7.50 for senior citizens. Berkshire CCC members will be admitted free on production of their membership card, as will MCCA and Wormsley cricket members.