Devon Cricket Board - Hancock praises Devon stickability

Hancock praises Devon stickability

DEVON captain Neil Hancock praised his team for their stickability after clinching a 116-run win over Oxfordshire at Great & Little Tew.

Less than eight overs remained on the third and final day when teenage pacer Jamie Overton blasted out Ashley Blanchard to give Devon a victory that puts them second in the Western Division table.

Oxfordshire had been left 14 overs on day two and all of day three to either save the game or reach 438 to win.

Devon used up 114.2 overs dismissing Oxfordshire for the second time in the match, a marathon effort for any side, never mind club cricketers used to fielding for no more than 55 overs on a Saturday afternoon.

“It was a great team effort as virtually everyone contributed over the three days in some way or another,” said Hancock.

“The Overton twins were the centre of attention for a lot of people as it was the first time they had played together for Devon – and they both did well.

“Jamie had seven wickets in the match and Craig three. I would like to think we will see a bit more of both of them this season but as Jamie has been picked for England U19s I doubt it.

“Ten wickets in the match is a decent contribution, but there were other key roles too.

“When we took the second new ball on the final day James Burke (pictured) got Alex Jewell out almost immediately.

“That was a big wicket for us as he hardly gave us a chance making 130 and after six hours at the crease looked capable of batting through.

“Trevor Anning took three wickets at the end of the first day, which helped put us in control of the game.

“Oxfordshire were 52 for six at the end of day one and from then on we were on top.”

Devon had to work hard for their wickets on the last day, which raised the question whether or not there was enough variety in the bowling attack.

Bovey Tracey’s Chris Bradley was the only spinner in the attack and his figures of two for 52 from 24 overs were testimony to a lot of hard graft for every little reward.

“The pitch didn’t have the bounce or turn we anticipated, so I am not sure if another spinner would have made a big difference,” said Hancock.

“If there was someone knocking on the door who turns the ball away from the bat, they may be worth looking at,” but no one in the Devon League who is available really fits that bill right now.

“I felt the seamers stuck to their task well and because the batsmen did their job by putting a big total on the board I could set attacking fields with men in catching positions.”

Hancock certainly had a point as three of the nine wickets to go on the last day were to slip catches.

Devon now have 10 days off from Minor Counties action before returning to the fray at Torquay on July 10-12 when Cheshire are the visitors.

Before then there is Development XI game at Budleigh Salterton this Sunday against Somerset Academy.

Budleigh’s James Burke has been made captain on his home ground and the team contains Torquay’s Matt Thompson and Barton captain Adam Parker, who is regarded as a one-day side candidate for 2012.

Devon Lions v Somerset (from): J E Burke (Budleigh), Z Bess (Sidmouth), H D Booker (Braunton), D J Bowser (North Devon), B G Huxtable (Exmouth), M Kidd (Cornwood), C A Morris (Budleigh), A J Parker (Barton), M W Thompson (Torquay), C Whittaker (Plymouth), M J Wood (Cornwood), D Wrench (Plympton).

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