Devon Cricket Board - First day over by lunchtime

First day over by lunchtime

DAY one of Devon’s Minor Counties play-off game against Cambridgeshire failed to make it past lunchtime after a downpour of Biblical proportions washed out play, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Devon, asked to bat first by Cambridgeshire captain Paul McMahon, recovered from 10 for two to reach 98 for three at the break.

The teams had played under leaden skies from the stat and moments after going off for lunch it started hammering down.

Umpires Bob Debenham and Mike Izzard only needed the most cursory of inspections in mid-afternoon to rule out any prospect of getting back out.

Minor Counties officials realised some time ago any game played in September is at the mercy of the weather and allow four days for the final.

The extra day should ensure the game is played to a finish, always assuming there is no more rain.

Devon lost opener James Burke on 10 when he was rapped on the pads by former Warwickshire youngster Tim Mees.

Cambridgeshire struck again in the next over when Rob Holman chased a width ball from Jamie Barrs and nicked it to Alan Burton in the slips.

Pace bowler Barrs is a student at the University of Exeter and turned out for Bovey Tracey during term time.

Rob Woodman and Bob Dawson got settled and put on 61 without mishap for the third wicket.

Dawson was just getting going when he tried to pull a short ball from Paul McMahon, but instead of smashing it through mid-wicket looped the ball over deep square leg, wher e Jonathan Aktinson took a good catch on the run.

David Lye (17) and Woodman (47no) saw Devon through to lunch without incident.

Regular updates throughout the day on www.devoncricket.com

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