SATURDAY, JUNE 21
DEVON have to start playing catch-up when they start a three-day Minor Counties Championship game against Berkshire at Torquay tomorrow (11am).
A six-game season doesn't allow much margin for error – particularly when your first game is rained off without a ball being bowled.
Devon were washed out against Oxfordshire at Banbury three weeks ago, which meant just six points for travelling and nothing else.
Berkshire, the early leaders in the Western Division, Cheshire and Shropshire all played their first game and won, leaving Devon trailing from the word go.
Devon captain Bob Dawson said losing one game to bad weather wasn't a disaster, but it did wipe out almost any room for manoeuvre for the rest of the season.
“Realistically, you have to win four games to be in with a chance of winning the division and we still have five to play,” said Dawson.
“As we play Berkshire, Cheshire and Shropshire all at home this season, we have a good chance of making up the ground lost at Oxfordshire.
“Ideally, I would like to beat Berkshire, but if we can't we don't want to lose and let them get even further away from us.”
For the first time since Dawson took over as county captain in 2003, Devon have four debutants in the side at the same time.
Plymouth College sixth former James Burke, a former England U15 all-rounder, is brought in to provide a third fast-medium bowling option.
Sidmouth's Scott Barlow is in as a stock bowler while Paignton's James Hudson finds himself the only spinner in the side due to the absences of Andy Procter and Arwyn Jones.
Exeter's Rob Holman will be hoping it third time lucky for him as he has been picked twice before without actually playing.
Holman was injured in the pre-match warm-up when he was named in the side to face Oxfordshire at the tail end of last season. The hard-hitting left-hander was on the teamsheet for the match against Oxfordshire this season, in which no play was possible.
Opening batsman Richard Foan is recalled to the side having been dropped for the game against Oxfordshire last season. He made 158 against North Devon in the Premier Division last Saturday, which convinced the selectors to bring him back.
Torquay has been happy hunting ground in the past for the compact left-hander, who is aiming to make the best of his recall.
“My best score for Devon is 150 and I made it at Torquay against Herefordshire two years ago,” said Foan.
“Torquay is one of the best batting tracks in the county and it couldn't be a better place to be offered a comeback.
“I was disappointed to be dropped last season and playing for Devon means a lot to me. It was a difficult year because of the weather – the cricket was stop-start all the time – and as an opener you are vulnerable if there is a bit in the pitch, which there was most of the time.
“I don't want this to be a one-off game as I would like to get my place back in the team permanently. My job is to score runs and cement my place that way.”
Dawson said it was unusual having so many new faces in the side, but he wasn't worried about them blending in.
“We might be a bit short on experience, but don't lack for enthusiasm or ability,” said Dawson.
“The side has got a lot of batting – right down to number nine – which is what you want in a three-day game when you have to bat 90 overs first innings and potentially longer in the second.
“The test is where we are just after lunch on the third day. If we are in a position where we can win the game, I will be happy.”
The Berkshire team includes former Somerset and England fast bowler Richard Johnson, who signed up after being released by Middlesex at the end of last season.
Devon: N C Bettis (North Devon), R J Foan (Sandford), R J Holman (Exeter), R I Dawson, A P W Allen, I E Bishop, (all Budleigh Salterton), J M Hudson (Paignton), T S Anning, D F Lye (Sandford), S Barlow (Sidmouth), J E Burke (Exmouth).
Berkshire: D E Barnes, D J F Shilock, J J McLean, B H D Mordt, S P Naylor, J C Morris, S J Woodward, C P Crowe, R L Johnson, T L Lambert, T P Dellor.
Umpires: A J Izzard & P L Ratcliffe,