Devon Cricket Board - Bess era starts with Hereford away

Bess era starts with Hereford away

DEVON open a new chapter at against Herefordshire at Colwall tomorrow when Sidmouth’s Josh Bess leads the side for the first time.

The 25-year-old all-rounder – a patient batter and lively new-ball bowler – was appointed following the resignation of Chris Bradley.

Bradley, formally appointed at the start of last season but in charge at the end of the one before when Devon won the Minor Counties title outright, stepped down after the defeat at Wales.

Losing to Wales had nothing to do with is decision, which was purely based on the problems of balancing a demanding day job, having a young family and the time commitment required to skipper the county team.

Bradley’s spin bowling hasn’t been lost to the county side as he is retained in the team to play Herefordshire.

Indeed, team boss Keith Donohue is pleased Bradley wants to carry on playing as he has had enough upheavals in the team already this season.

Every game seems to bring enforced changes due to availability issues and this one is no different with James Toms and Matthew Thompson dropping out.

The last thing Donohue wanted was to lose his main spin bowler as well.

‘I appreciate it can be difficult when you have been the leader to go back to being one of the troops, but I don’t see that as a problem with Chris,’ said Donohue.

‘He remains a fantastic bowler and also a senior player in what is quite an inexperienced side.

‘I would be looking to him as with any other senior player to show leadership and guidance anyway. The fact he still wants to play tells you a lot about the man and how proud he is to play for his county.’

Having lost to Wales last time out in a thrilling run chase, Devon dropped down to fifth in the table of ten with for games and 96 points to play for.

Wales look strong this season, but if Devon want to stay the hunt they need to win at Colwall.

To do that some minor improvements are needed on the performance against Wales.

‘We didn’t play badly against Wales, but it seemed we were chasing the game in more sessions than they were,’ said Donohue.

‘Losing early wickets again didn’t help, although James Toms scoring a century in the second innings at opener was a step in the right direction for us.

‘It is a real pity James can’t play in this game, but he has professional exams and that’s that.’

Peter Bradley has been pressed into service as a makeshift opener this season, but with Rob Holman back on duty he has been left out of the12. So has seamer Matt Kidd.

‘Peter has done us proud when he has played – no one tries harder – but he has not done as well as he would have liked,’ said Donohue.

‘Some players come into the side and kick-on; some don’t.

‘We decided not to take Matt Kidd for this game as he has been 12th man quite a few times already this season. Realistically, he was not going to get in the team ahead of Josh or Trevor Anning.

‘Matt will play for the Lions against the Devon League at Paignton instead.’

Devon are without keeper-batter Matthew Thompson for this game, which means a recall after two years on the reserve list for Sandy Allen.

Although batters Rhys Davies and Callum Whittaker are both respectable keepers for their club sides, Allen brings an extra dimension to the team according to Donohue.

‘With Thommo not available for this game we are lucky to have someone like Sandy to come in,’ said Donohue.

‘Sandy is a quality keeper, a solid batsman with Minor Counties hundreds to his credit and someone very knowledgeable about the game viewing it from behind the stumps.’

Thompson is collecting his degree from university in Cardiff and will be back for the game against Wiltshire at Exmouth later this month.

Will Thompson play against Wiltshire given the competition for places?

‘He is too good a player not to have in the team,’ said Donohue.

Herefordshire: L Gwynne, N Patel, M P O’Shea, B L Wadlan, B R W Stebbings, C A M Walker, D J M Cox, M Pardesi, C C F Powell, S P Cheetham, N J Powell Devon: R J Holman (Exeter), S R Benton (Exmouth), C P Whittaker (Plymouth), D F Lye (Exmouth), J J Bess (Sidmouth), A P W Allen (Exmouth), M C Golding (Bovey), R W Davies (Tavistock), T S Anning, M A Orchard (both Exmouth), C Bradley (Bovey), J H J Mailling (Plympton).

Umpires: D Price & A Harris

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