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June two thousand and ten will be long remembered for those blowing their own vuvuzela and not just in South Africa! Fortunately the Devon under 21s considered that actions speak louder than words and in real heat they put on two very special performances. It was to be three consecutive days cricket for the group and the high fitness levels of the squad stood the test. The selection for the mini tour to Dorset and the Isle of Wight had been affected by chemistry GCSE’s, A levels and cup finals (subsequently a broken toe) but the appointed twelve all arrived at Exeter Services unscathed from toiling the previous day in the sun. Chris Metters would leave the party at Lyndhurst to play for the minor counties under 25s at Cheam on Monday. The twenty-ones were the first users of a brand new Ford Transit and there was some relief when the Sussex layby was passed without mishap. No sign of any plaque to commerate the three hours in the sun last August. A massive road improvement scheme preparing for the Olympics at Weymouth slightly slowed up the journey but Redlands was reached in good time although SatNav took Exmouth’s slow left armer on a different route. It looked a good toss to win and with Dorset pulling in their eleventh man from an adjoining game at the eleventh hour Joe Smith, on his twenty-first birthday, lost it. There were no regrets as after just eight overs Dorset were 15-5. Fourth ball Matthew Hickey trapped the Dorset captain, Stickland in front, five runs and thirteen balls later he bowled Jacques. Ten runs were put on for the third wicket when Hickey had Collins leg before and then bowled Weld. His figures were 4-5 off four. Toby Ingham then joined in having keeper Ridley caught by Dan Hardy. It looked now as if Devon might be able to watch much of England’s victory over Germany but Dorset had other ideas as sixty-one was added by Elliott and Gunn. They took sixteen overs as Mark Gilmour, Chris Metters and Gary Chappell entered the attack. Chappell had Gunn leg before with his twenty-second ball and Metters took his wicket in his penultimate over having Elliott caught behind by Thompson. This was not a common or garden catch it was perhaps one of the keepers best ever. The ball went leg side and so did the keeper and somehow he held a trully amazing effort. Eighty-nine for seven after thirty-one overs. Max Curtis replaced Metters for his first bowl for the twenty-ones. At sixteen years and 176 days Curtis is one of the youngest to play at this level. Further research will be undertaken. Dorset were in a hole and they targetted the North Devon off spinner. It was an interesting baptism and it would be intriguing to see how he responded. His response the next day showed why he had been selected, he bowled beautifully under pressure displaying an ideal temprement. Toby Ingham replaced him but it was Chappell who took his second wicket when Dunham was caught on the rope by Ingham. After thirty-eight overs Dorset were 127-9 when Thompson caught a routine catch off Ingham. The final wicket fell at 131 when Gilmour bowled Beetham senior. By now England were two nill down. If you take out Hickey’s slower ball, his return of 4-30 off seven was a very impressive first under 21 appearance.
Tea was taken, Upson headed home and Lampard’s goal was disallowed, half time. Thompson and Andrew Buzza looked comfortable as Buzza played a couple of majestic cover drives on the ground. On twenty he put one in the air to be caught by Gunn. The sides third debutant Barnie Huxtable helped put on fifty-eight in fourteen overs when Matt Thompson was caught for a sixty-six ball 37. Germany now 4-1 up everyone now enjoying the sunshine and Devon were home and dry by 5.34pm as Hardy and Huxtable put on another 55. Huxtable passed his fifty and was unbeaten on 56 (11 fours). Hardy had struck three fours in his half an hour at the crease. An ideal start to the season with England also winning but in the final over. The side bowled, fielded and batted to the high standards needed. Some really excellent deeds by a first rate and talented squad, perhaps the typical English narrow minded selection group might have got something right!
An early meal at the Botany Bay and Stoney Cross was reached without any detours but still late due to heavy traffic. |
