- South Dartmoor back to winning ways in cups
- Tom Allin tournament raised more than £5,000 for air ambulance
- Taverners kit bag delivered to Sri Lankan youngsters
- Devon trying to contact the class of 56
- Paceman Tshepo running in Virgin London Marathon
- Five Devon women in Western Storm squad for Kia Super League
- Registration night for all ages at Topsham on Monday
- Lots pouring in for auction at Allin Memorial tournament
- Thames Valley Gentlemen Cricket Club
- Bradninch add Argentinian flavour to Devon League
- Ipplepen youth registration night on Friday
- Final call for Groundsmans first seminar this year
- Devon League official tackling London Marathon for charity
- Bovey on familiar territory in Aaron Printers Cup
- Brockman Cup - Cup Kings lie in wait for holders
- Shepherd Trust helps Kingsbridge build for sustainable future
- DCL - Umpire Appointments 2016 (May 7th - July 2nd)
- Long standing records beaten
- North Devon see off Paignton chase
DEVON skipper Chris Bradley wants to see his batsmen make good use of time in the middle in Sunday’s warm-up match against Somerset 2nd XI at Sidmouth.
The serious stuff is only two weeks away when Devon go to Welwyn to play Hertfordshire in the MCCA KO Cup.
That’s a fortnight before the league season starts, which means time in the middle for batsmen right now is precious.
Devon have some batting issues to sort out before the new season gets under way, such as who will replace the departed Bob Dawson and Neil Hancock, or what to do if Josh Bess doesn’t recover from a broken thumb.
Devon also had James Burke to call on last season at the top of the order, but he has rejoined Somerset this term which may affect his availability.
Former Somerset and Notts batsman Matt Wood has made himself available for selection this season, although not in every game, and may well feature if needed. He is on holiday and can’t play against Somerset.
Seb Benton and Jason Hall are on the shortlist to come into the team and, get a second chance to impress having made modest scores in last Sunday’s friendly against the Devon Lions at Axminster.
“Fingers crossed Josh Bess will be fit for the Hertfordshire game, but there are still places to be filled,” said Bradley.
“If James Burke can play that is massive for the balance of the side as he bats and bowls. But we have to be prepared for Somerset saying they want him.
“Matt Wood would like to come back and play and that is certainly an option at three or four if we need him.
“That still leaves a gap or two, which is why Seb and Jason are playing again. Neither of them made big scores at Axminster and like all the batsmen I would like them to get some time in the middle.
“If it rains next week when we are supposed to be playing Cardiff MCCU at Blundell’s, there won’t have been much opportunity for the batsmen to work on their game.”
Since the 13-man squad was named earlier in the week, spin-bowling all-rounder Gary Chappell (right) has dropped out and quick bowler Charlie Morris has withdrawn and been reinstated!
“Charlie thought he was going to be needed for an Oxford MCCU game, but when we learned he was available we brought him back in,” said Bradley.
Morris has the distinction of talking the first wicket in First Class cricket this season, that of Glamorgan’s Stewart Walters in the third over of the game against Oxford MCCU at The Parks.
Devon v Somerset 2nd XI (from): R J Woodman (Taunton), J E Burke (Budleigh), R J Holman (Exeter), D F Lye (Exmouth), S R Benton (Paignton), J S B Hall (Cornwood), M W Thompson (Torquay), P J Randerson (Sidmouth), T S Anning (Exmouth), C Bradley (Bovey) N S Watkin (Torquay), C A J Morris (Budleigh).
