CUMBERLAND face their biggest match for more than a decade as they chase their third Minor Counties Championship title tomorrow.

They face Oxfordshire in Carlisle, aiming to add to the trophies won in 1986 and 1999.

Barrow’s Jon Miles is among captain Gary Pratt’s side, who face a four-day test against the winners of the Western Division.

Cumberland have enjoyed a fine season so far, winning five of their six games in the Eastern Division Championship, including an emphatic nine-wicket triumph over Hertfordshire at Carlisle.

Their other game against Lincolnshire at Sedbergh was a rain-ruined draw.

After finishing runners-up in the division last year, Cumberland have high hopes of success but come up against an experienced Oxfordshire side who won five games on the way to the Western Division title.

Oxford’s ranks include ex-Middlesex seamer Chad Keegan and current Sussex leg-spinner Will Beer, as well as respected captain Luke Ryan, a fine left arm spinner.

“It will be a tough game for sure, but we have a really good side and are looking forward to the challenge,” said Pratt.

Pratt, who has starred for Cumberland since leaving Durham in 2007, found fame with his 12th man role in England’s 2005 Ashes win, famously running out Australia captain Ricky Ponting at Trent Bridge.

Despite that moment of fame and also playing for England at under-19s level, he says leading Cumberland to the Championship would be his greatest moment in cricket.

“I love playing for Cumberland, as all the players do,” he added.

“We are all immensely proud to play for the county.

“The players give up nearly 30 days per year to play for nothing – we don’t have any paid players – and they love the county.

“We have had a settled squad this year and have played some fantastic cricket so far. We have now won nine and drawn three of our last 12 games in the three-day comp so it will take a good side to beat us.”

On his team, he said: “Richard Gleeson has really developed his game and made his first-class debut for Northants recently. Toby Bulcock is knocking on the door and players like Chris Williams, Josh Tolley and Will Hale are not far away.

“Jon Miles, who learnt all his cricket at Barrow, made his county debut at 16 and has been a great player for us since.”

In 1986, the Minor Counties title was decided by a one day 55-over game and Cumberland played Oxfordshire at New Road, Worcester.

The game was an anti-climax as weather intervened and the game was stretched into a second day. Cumberland celebrated a narrow victory by two wickets.

Prior to that, they had finished as wooden-spoonists on 12 occasions.

Cumberland became champions for a second time in 1999 and at Carlisle will seek a hat-trick.