Devon Cricket Board - Devon dominate on day one

Devon dominate on day one

DEVON V CHESHIRE – DAY ONE

DEVON skipper Neil Hancock isn’t taking anything for granted just yet despite a dominant first-day performance against Cheshire at Torquay.

Opening bowler Trevor Anning had a devastating first spell of three for 25 and finished with four for 29 as Cheshire were bowled out for 191.

David Lye chipped in with the wicket of James Duffy (33) as Cheshire laboured to 132 for six at lunch, the returned to knock over the tail enders to finish with three for 15.

Debutant Charles Morris found the going hard – none for 50 in six overs – but the rest of the attack kept the pressure on Cheshire from start to finish.

Devon were 115 for two at last night’s close, a deficit of 76 to take into the second day.

Devon reached 96 before Cheshire made a breakthrough, Warren Goodwin trapping a disappointed Matt Thompson lbw for 44. Thompson was hoping for a 50 or more on his home ground.

Liam Lewis was run out soon after a risky call from Holman left the two of them at the same end.

Holman made some amends by going on to make a half-century. He was 53 not out at the close.

Bob Dawson, who was presented with a tankard and a cap to mark his 100th Championship appearance was the other not-out batsman.

Hancock said losing the toss had worked in Devon’s favour so far, but batting had been a challenge for Cheshire at times and Devon may have a few problems as well.

“Having lost the toss we did well to bowl them out, but for a few more runs than I would have liked,” said Hancock.

“There is a bit in it for the bowlers, if you put the ball in the right areas, and an element of tennis-ball bounce, so it can be difficult at times.

“Hopefully we can knuckle down and see the seam off the ball so it flattens down a bit for the rest of our innings.”

Anning got early wickets in the last game against Oxfordshire, from which they never recovered, and was at it again yesterday.

However, Hancock said Lye’s contribution was just as important in the context of this game.

“David has done a good job for us,” said Hancock. “He got the important breakthrough just before lunch when he bowled Duffy, then followed up at the end with the last two.”

Devon’s preparations for the game were hardly ideal as numerous changes were made to the selected side – and were still being made on the morning of the match!

When opener Rob Woodman dropped out due to work commitments on Friday morning, Paignton’s Seb Benton was called up.

Benton aggravated an old injury in a league match on Saturday, which meant a 7am call to Heathcoat captain Liam Lewis.

Devon held their catches – two in the slips and a caught behind – as the fielders backed up the bowlers.

Thompson took a snap catch at short leg off bat and pad to remove Lee Dixon off the bowling of Hancock.

Five balls after lunch Danny Berry was caught behind low down by Sandy Allen off Josh Bess and Cheshire were in damage limitation mode from then on.

Richard Logan (37) stuck around and with help from Adam Syddall (12) and Danny Woods (16) the last three pairs added 57.

Cheshire 191 (J A Duffy 33, R J Logan 37; T S Anning 4-28, D F Lye 3-15), Devon 115-2 (M W Thompson 44, R J Holman 53no). Devon 4pts, Cheshire 1.

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