Devon Cricket Board - Burke hungry for first Devon ton

Burke hungry for first Devon ton

DEVON will be looking to opener James Burke to continue his run of form with the bat when they face Cambridgeshire at March Town CC in the final of the Minor Counties Championship.

Budleigh Salterton batter old boy Burke, with more than 400 runs at an average of 46, has been one of the reasons Devon won the Western Division title this season.

The four-day gamed against the Eastern Division winners starting tomorrow will decide the outright Minor Counties champions.

In 12 trips to the crease this season Burke has gone past 50 five times without going on to complete a maiden Devon century.

Roger Newman, Devon’s director of cricket, is convinced Burke isn’t far away from making his maiden century.

“If you can make 70s and 80s as James has been then you can make a ton,” said Newman.

“We were all rooting for James when he got to 96 against Oxfordshire earlier in the season. Sadly for him he got out.

“Scoreboard pressure can get to you and my advice to James would be don’t take any notice of the scoreboard.

“Don’t put yourself under pressure and just play in the relaxed way that has got you this far.”

Burke is hungry for his first century but says it isn’t preying on his mind unduly.

“Of course I am keen to score my first hundred – and to make it a big one,” said Burke.

“It isn’t something I am too worried about though as the team have been doing well and I have been contributing.

“What is important is the success of the team and the fact we are in the national final speaks for itself.”

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