HEREFORDSHIRE head coach Richard Skyrme makes five changes to the side which heads for Alderley Edge to take on Cheshire on Sunday.

The county side picked up nine NCCA Championship Western Division 1 points from their rain-ruined draw with Oxfordshire at Eastnor and, despite another mixed forecast, will be hoping for better fortune with the weather as they head north this weekend.

Henry Cullen, who made a half-century in each innings when Herefordshire secured a four-wicket win over Cheshire at Brockhampton last year – their only three-day success of the campaign – makes his first county appearance of the season.

There’s a Herefordshire first-team debut for Barnards Green opener Rehaan Edavalath who also made his first-class county championship bow for Worcestershire last month in their draw with Derbyshire.

Vice-captain Nick Hammond and senior batsman Ben Chapman-Lilley return after missing out against Oxfordshire due to club commitments in the National Club Knockout with Ombersley and Barnt Green respectively.

And key all-rounder James Rudge is also back after being unavailable due to work last time around.

Rudge will spearhead the pace attack alongside Roshan Venkataraman, with support from Sam Keeling-Wright, who impressed on his debut at Eastnor, and Olly Walker.

Chapman-Lilley’s off-spin is likely to provide some back-up to skipper Matt Pardoe in the spin department.

Barney Morgan, Callum Bennett, Jujhar Johal, Zak Shah and Conor Smith drop out of the side which played Oxfordshire.

Herefordshire cricket followers have a chance to see first-class opposition take on the county side later this month.

The annual ‘Showcase’ game, when National Counties take on their top-flight counterparts, will this season see Herefordshire take on Glamorgan in a 50-over clash at Eastnor on Sunday, July 30, starting at 11am.

To add a little spice to the encounter, the Glamorgan side is likely to include two former Herefordshire stars.

Jamie McIlroy has been opening the Glamorgan bowling and Zain ul-Hassan the batting in their side’s recent county championship clashes.

Tickets for the day are available at £5 through Eventbrite (entrance will be £10 on the day).

Hospitality tables, including lunch, tea and a chance to hear a talk from former Glamorgan star and current director of cricket Mark Wallace are also available. Call 01432 275189 for details.