Devon Cricket Board - No overseas at Exeter this season

No overseas at Exeter this season

EXETER have taken the unusual step of going without an overseas player this season, which is almost unheard of in the Premier Division.
Sidmouth have done it but as they had Devon’s best cricketer Neil Hancock as their professional at the time it didn’t really matter.
Exmouth have also gone without overseas players in the past, but with a side containing five or six Devon players it wasn’t a huge loss to them.
Skipper Miles Lenygon feels Exeter have the strength to cope without overseas aid this season - and with the pavilion rebuild in full swing it is an expense the club can do without.
“We hope to have a South African wicketkeeper-batsman joining us during the season, but he is someone already here not coming over specially,” said Lenygon.
While fellow captains may question whether Exeter can afford not to have an overseas player, Lenygon is comfortable with the situation.
He sees the teenage talent at the club being fettled by Somerset – Dom Bess, Ben Green and Ollie Sale - as filling the gap in part.
The improved fitness and availability of other key players is an added bonus.
“Ben Green is just back from the England U19 tour to Australia and we should have him in all but two or three games this year,” said Lenygon.
“Ollie Sale, who did well early season for Somerse 2^nd XI, will be back with us from June.
“Dom Bess has got a release from school games to play for us on Saturdays so we will see a lot more of him.
“Zac Bess proved his fitness over the winter in Australia for a full season and looks sharp. It is good to see Devon taking an interest in him.
“Rob Holman, who traditionally has not played much in the first half because of work commitments, has a new job and should play all season.”
Waiting in the wings for a chance are young players such as Tom Lammonby, who is being tipped to follow Green along the England youth pathway.
“He will start in the second team, but there will be opportunities for him over the season.”
Exeter knew they were losing students Andy Hicks and Tom Barrs this season as well as Neal Prouse. They have picked up Tom Barton, who will fill Barrs new-ball role during university term time.
A player Exeter didn’t know was going was Cornish All Blacks full-back Billy Searle, who has joined A Division Lewdown.
“Billy sees rugby as his main sport these days and wants to turn up and play cricket when he wants to without too many commitments to things like training,” said Lenygon.
“As he lives that side of the county it made sense for him to join a club closer to home where he can just turn up and play.”
Exeter open the season at home to Exmouth.

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