APRIL 25, 2009
DEVON open the defence of the Minor Counties KO Cup they won at Lord's last season when Cornwall visit Exmouth tomorrow (11am).
The old rivals clash in the first of four pool games to decide which two teams go through to the knockout stages.
Devon defeated Cornwall in the final pool game last season to stay on course for Lords' where they defeated Berkshire by 40 runs in a thrilling final.
This year there is no Lord's final to look forward to as MCC can't find a space on the busy fixture list to squeeze the Minor Counties in. The finalists will be traipsing up to Chester-le-Street instead.
Devon have been in eight finals since 1991. Last season's win was their fourth. Cornwall have never been past the semi-final stage, but skipper Tom Sharp is looking to change that this season.
Sharp agrees that facing the holders in their own back yard is a tough start to the competition, but insists Cornwall have nothing to fear.
“Devon are the reigning champions, but we beat losing finalists Berkshire in the group stages last year,” said Sharp.
“We are capable, but have not done well against Devon in one day games recently. However, Exmouth is a good venue and we have fond memories of our 10-wicket championship win there five years ago.”
Devon captain Bob Dawson is almost always wary of playing Cornwall, especially somewhere like Exmouth, which is generally a batsman's paradise.
When the sides last met Devon won by 85 runs at St Just. Dawson will always back his side to beat anyone, admits the pitch at Exmouth can even out contests.
“St Just was a poor wicket to bat on and there was no way Cornwall were going to make anywhere near 230 to win, which is what we set them,” said Dawson.
“Exmouth is a much better deck, which will make it a more even contest.
“We like to batter sides out of the game before lunch if we can, but Exmouth is such a good batting track I would back us to score more than Cornwall chasing if we have to.
“Either way I expect it to be a high-scoring game.”
Cornwall are without seam bowler Rob Harrison, but are otherwise at full strength.
Devon name the same 11 that won at Lord's last August, adding Plympton all-rounder Lewis Gregory to cover for contingencies.
Tomorrow's game will be the first for both counties using the Duckworth-Lewis method to decide the outcome in the event of rain. Previously, Minor Counties have used a run-rate formula based on simple division of runs scored by overs bowled.
Dawson said he welcomed the change, adding: “Duckworth-Lewis may be more complicated to work out, but it is a lot farer than run-rate. I can't think off too many times when the wrong side has won under Duckworth-Lewis, but loads of times when it's been wrong on run rate.”
Devon: R I Dawson, A P W Allen (both Budleigh), N D Hancock (Sidmouth), C M Mole (Cuckfield), D F Lye (Exmouth),J M Hudson (Paignton), D G Court (Weybridge), T S Anning (Exmouth), I E Bishop (Budleigh), S Barlow (Sidmouth), L Gregory (Plympton), A J Procter (Budleigh).
Cornwall: D J Roberts (St Just), M H Rowe (St Austell), K A Parsons (Taunton Deane), G M Thomas (St Just), T G Sharp (Truro), M L Robins (Werrington), C A Hunkin (Truro), W M George (St Just), G D Edwards (St Just), A G Smeeth (Werrington), D F Davis (Callington), B A Smeeth (Werrington).
Umpires: S F Bishopp & M J Izzard