Devon Cricket Board - Burke set to open up

Burke set to open up

JAMES Burke looks like getting his old job back at opener on a permanent basis after being asked to go in first against Bedfordshire at Bovey Tracey tomorrow.
Burke opened for most of last season in Devon’s one and three-day sides, but was pencilled in to bat at five this season.
It wasn’t that Burke had done anything wrong – far from it – but the selectors felt the combination of left-handers Rob Holman and Rob Woodman had knock-on advantages.
Had last Sunday’s game against Cornwall gone ahead, Burke would have opened anyway as Woodman was not available.
Woodman can play against Bedfordshire on Sunday, but this time Holman is out!
“We had to make changes to the batting as we lost Bob Dawson and Neil Hancock from last season and felt James was ideal to go in at five,” said Devon skipper Chris Bradley.
“Every week it seems we are asking him to open anyway and with only two games left he may well carry on there and we will look at one of the Robs for five.”
Devon go into round three of the group games eager to get stuck into the action after successive rain-offs against Hertfordshire and Cornwall.
With only two games to go – Bedfordshire and a trip to Oxfordshire later this month – another rain off is highly undesirable.
“Some teams have played none, others have a game in hand and it’s all a bit messy,” said Bradley.
“With two to qualify I can see it coming down to run rate as I can see several teams having the same number off points because of all the cancellations.
“If we do play we have to make the best of it as it is likely run rate is going to be needed to sort it out.
“Bearing in mind the wickets will be like soggy puddings, some application will be needed from the batsmen to score runs.”
Devon (from): J E Burke (Budleigh), R J Woodman (Taunton), D F Lye (Exmouth), M J Wood (Plymtree), J J Bess (Sidmouth), M W Thompson (Torquay), P J Randerson (Sidmouth), D J Bowser (North Devon), G R Chappell (Bradninch), T S Anning, M H Curtis (both Exmouth), R J Bougourd, C Bradley (both Bovey).
Bedfordshire: J M Kettleborough, S C Stubbings, G R Thurstance, O J Clayson (capt), A M Reynoldson, R I Keogh, G G Arblaster (wkt), C A L Davis, C J Esh, C R Griggs, A C McGarry, D S Bendon, W E Sneath
Umpires: J Attrridge & S J Malone

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