Devon Cricket Board - Exeter aim to deny Sidmouth the double

Exeter aim to deny Sidmouth the double

EXETER captain Miles Lenygon believes his side’s strength in depth is the key to beating Sidmouth in Sunday’s Tolchard’s Devon Cup final at Torquay (1pm).
Premier champions Sidmouth go into the game as favourites – and looking to repeat the double they last pulled off in 2012.
Lenygon has a healthy respect for Sidmouth, and in particular strike bowler Dan Babula (pictured, left), who is heading for 50 Premier scalps this season.
But Lenygon does not fear Sidmouth and is confident of taking the cup back to the County Ground for the first time since 2007 when Plympton were beaten, also in a Torquay final.
“Babula bowls with First Class quality and is one of the reasons Sidmouth have done so well this season,” said Lenygon.
“Sidmouth get early wickets and put sides under pressure from the start, so we have to be aware of that.
“They are a fine side, but we feel we can match and even beat them for depth in 40-over cricket.
“We have a lot of batting and six or seven good bowling options, depending on whether we go for an extra batter or not when we get there.
“Ideally, I would like to bat first, but if we have to bat second I am confident we will score one more run than they do.”
Sidmouth don’t lose finals very often – last year’s defeat by Exmouth was their first since 2008 when Sandford turned them over – and skipper Will Murray sees big-match experience as an advantage.
“We do have some pedigree and experience in finals, T20 as well, and that does count for something,” said Murray.
Murray said there are no obvious weak links in the Exeter team, which should make for a close game.
“Eleven good players and plenty of representative experience thanks to players like Rob Holman and Adam Gribble (Devon), Neal Prowse (Surrey) and Dom Bess with Somerset,” said Murray.
“We are going there to win, but no one expects it to be easy.”
Exeter have added all-rounder Billy Searle to their squad now he is fit after injury.
Luke Bess, who has had injuru issues this season, comes into the Sidmouth squad after a couple of 2^nd XI outings.
Exeter (from): M Lenygon, R Holman, S Morris, N Prowse, T Richardson, B Searle, W Steward, D Bess, G Greenway, A Gribble, M Steward.
Sidmouth (from): L Lewis, J Bess, W Sobczak, A Griffiths, M Cooke, L Bess, G Chaplin, S Barlow, C Miles, W Murray, D Babula, P Randerson.

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