Devon Cricket Board - Abbots expecting big things from Nel

Abbots expecting big things from Nel

ABBOTSKERSWELL will be aiming to pick themselves up after the disappointment of relegation from the A Division when the new season at home to Plymstock.
Abbots have lost some familiar faces from last season’s 1^st XI pool as Toby Codd has moved to Bovey Tracey, Marcus Green has gone down the lane to Ipplepen and skipper Paul Acton won’t be travelling home from Bristol to play on a regular basis.
Significant new arrivals locally are the Cowdry brothers – Rob and Ben from Ipplepen – and opening bowler Phil Lacey, who has switched from Kingskerswell.
From further afield comes Zimbabwean U19 batting star Dylan Nel, of whom big things are expected by Abbots’ new chairman Paul Mitchell.
“Dylan comes from the same background as Malcolm Lake, who did such good job last season with the bat in the Premier Division for Bovey Tracey,” said Mitchell.
“He played for Zimbabwe U19s when he was only 17, which tells you something about him.
“Two years ago he played for Gerrards Cross in the Home Counties League and scored 500-plus runs in 11 games before he had to go home.
“This lad is going to bat and bat…”
Abbots got sucked into the relegation mire in the second half of the season and were relegated on the final day of the season in a three-into-two-won’t-go scenario with Lewdown and Chudleigh. Lewdown survived.
Mitchell, the former Paignton and Kingskerswell left-hander, has been around too long to make hasty predictions.
But with new captain Charlie Garrett and Charlie Hill due home any day now from a successful winter in Australia, Mitchell is optimistic.
“I will be very disappointed if we are not there or thereabouts,” said Mitchell.

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