Devon Cricket Board - Thompson lashes Lions

Thompson lashes Lions

DEVON Lions were mauled by one of their own in a 67-run defeat by Cardiff MCCU at Torquay.
Torquay and Devon batsman Matt Thompson wasn’t on Cardiff’s original teamsheet, but found himself summoned to play at short notice due to availability issues.
Thompson got Cardiff off the hook when they batted by making a top score of 86 in a total of 233 all out.
Devon had reduced Cardiff to 82 for seven at one stage so Thompson’s contribution can’t be underestimated.
Devon were finally bowled out for 166 in reply having stop-started their way from 64 for four to 91 for eight then 150 for nine.
Keeper Thompson (pictured) took four catches and a stumping to help Cardiff on their way to victory.
Devon don’t need telling how good Thompson is as he topped the batting averages in last season’s Minor Counties Championship-winning side.
Thompson is in his second season as a scholar at Cardiff, but hasn’t made the First Class side yet.
Roger Newman, Devon’s director of cricket, said he can’t see Cardiff overlooking the young maestro for much longer.
“Par score on that wicket was around 170-180 – and without Matt they wouldn’t have got anywhere near 233,” said Newman.
“Matt has put himself in the frame for their First team and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him in their T20 side for the game they’ve got against Gloucestershire Gladiators on Thursday.”
Thompson supported Tom Warner (41) in an eighth –wicket stand of 60 which got Cardiff going from 82 for seven – then dominated a partnership of 77 with last man Tom McGeer.
Most of Thompson’s 11 fours and four sixes came in the last10 overs. Among his boundary hits was a shot of the day – a six off Matt Plowman which was still climbing when it crossed the extra-cover boundary!
Bowling wise, Ryan Bougourd was tidy, Harry Booker (2-24) impressed and Josh Mailing (2-33) had a good first spell and early wickets.
Devon’s reply started badly – skipper Peter Bradley out lbw second ball – and a succession of batters got out playing forgettable shots.
At 91 for eight it looked like a routine win for Cardiff, but Devon’s Cameron Grainger and Mailing had other ideas.
Mailing followed up a decent spell of bowling with an assured 30 in a stand of 59 for the ninth wicket. Thompson stumped him off Salter’s bowling to claim his fifth victim in the match and the end wasn’t long coming after that.
Cardiff MCCU 233 (A J Miles 32, M W Thompson 86, T M J Warner 41), Devon 166 (J Mailing 30; T M J Warner 3-42, J S T Denning 3-31). Cardiff bt Devon Lions by 77 runs.

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