Devon Cricket Board - Lewis, Golding and Kidd impress against Cardiff MCCU

Lewis, Golding and Kidd impress against Cardiff MCCU

DEVON’s team management got what they wanted from the warm-up game against Cardiff MCCU at Mount Wise even though they lost by 37 runs.
The students made 267 for seven in 45 overs – opener Fabian Cowdrey making a century – with Devon reaching 230 for seven in reply.
The team sketched out by director of cricket Keith Donohue only contained three of last season’s Minor Counties Championship regulars.
Devon were up against a Cardiff MCCU side containing nine players pencilled in for a three-day First Class game against Glamorgan at Sofia Gardens starting on Friday.
It was quite a test for Devon – as were the near freezing conditions in Plymouth – and that’s exactly what Donohue wanted.
Devon will have some remodelling to do this season and Donohue was looking for players to put their hands up for places.
Matt Kidd, Liam Lewis and Matt Golding have been involved in Devon squads before without making a permanent breakthrough into the side. All three pressed their claims with solid performances – and they weren’t the only ones to show potential.
Opening bat James Toms was just getting on to of the bowling when he was given out for 25 lbw to Jon Denning (3-15).
Plymouth’s Toms has played in games like this before without making an impression, yet is well known around the Premier Division circuit for his ruthless treatment of bowlers. He will get another chance soon.
There were runs and wickets for Lewis and Golding – Lewis took three catches as well – while Kidd bowled better than his figures of 9-0-47-1 suggest.
Cowdrey looked a class act with the bat in his hand – hardly surprising as his father and grandfather were Kent and England captains Chris and Colin respectively – yet Kidd, Lewis and Golding posed him problems;
Sidmouth’s Lewis bowled six overs for 18 runs after coming on as first change; bowling at Cowdrey and Ireland international Andrew Balbirnie. Good shooting by anyone’s standards.
Budleigh Salterton’s Kidd found Cowdrey’s edge twice – the ball flashing through the cordon towards the boundary – and looked an improved performer from last season.
Bovey Tracey leg-spinner Golding (2-43) got mowed around a bit in his last couple of overs, but was the only bowler who appeared to pose Cowdrey problems.
Donohue was certainly pleased with what he saw in the field.
“Matt Kidd looked fit and strong and bowled in good areas most of the time,” said Donohue.
“It’s important for players like Liam Lewis who are knocking on the door to have games like this as it makes them feel at ease in the team. All round he had a pretty good game.
“Matt Golding has worked hard in the winter and come back a better player.”
Inevitably there will be players who had an off-day, but Donohue won’t be rejecting anyone on the basis of one game.
Rob Bennett (Plymouth) struggled to bowl on line, but Donohue’s approach is to look at making him a better player.
“Rob takes wickets in the league and goes for a few getting them, which we knew when we picked him,” said Donohue.
“In games like this against much better players you will get hit for a few more fours than expected.
“It was Rob’s first game for Devon, he was probably quite nervous and I realise that. He will get other chances.”
Cowdrey’s 135 was the anchor innings for Cardiff.. He opened up and stayed there until the 44th over when Kidd had him stumped.
Devon were slow at first against naggingly accurate left-armer Denning, but got free runs at the other end where Matt Hobden was having a nightmare.
Hobden repeatedly overstepped – his first over was 18 balls long – and in two spells of five overs combined he bowled an extra 26 balls!
Lewis (37) and Peter Bradley (17) got Devon going after they had slowed to 71 for four, then Trevor Anning (33) and Golding added 95 for the seventh wicket in the last10 overs.
Anning’s upper-cut for six over the third-man boundary was the shot of the day on either side.
Devon resume their preparations this Sunday with a match against their Lions Development XI at Sidmouth.
Cardiff MCCU 267-7 (F C Cowdrey 135, S L Davies 27; M C Golding 2-43, M A Orchard 2-71), Devon 230-7 (L J Lewis 37, T S Anning 33; M C Golding 41no; J S Denning 3-15). Cardiff bt Devon by 37 runs.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773