Devon Cricket Board - Rain break stops Devon getting on top

Rain break stops Devon getting on top

DEVON v SHROPSHIRE – DAY ONE

CHRIS Bradley was thrown in at the deep end when he arrived at Exmouth for the start of the game against Shropshire to be told he going to be captain.

Spinner Bradley was the management’s choice to lead the side after captain Neil Hancock withdrew overnight after suffering a broken nose in a Saturday afternoon league game.

Bradley, who has captaincy experience with club side Bovey Tracey, only broke into the county side last season. But he justified the responsibility placed in him by getting Devon into a strong position before rain stopped play during the tea interval.

Shropshire, 106 for two after 35 overs at lunch, were 243 for six with 18 overs to go in the first innings when rain stopped play.

Robert Oliver and Chris Murtagh has both made half-centuries while Ryan Lockley (46) just missed out.

Bradley had three wickets for 72 runs and Trevor Anning two for 42.

It was a hard slog at times, but Bradley showed himself to be a quick learner by rotating the bowlers wisely and keeping the work ethic going, even when nothing positive was happening!

“We didn’t have much luck before lunch as the pitch was pretty flat and didn’t have much in it for the bowlers,” said Bradley.

“After lunch I got a wicket early, Trevor got another in the next over, then Jamie Ralph ran past one from me when there was no real reason to.

“Considering where they were at lunch we did well to reel them in. I will be disappointed if we can’t get them out for less than 300 when we get back out there.”

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Shropshire lost Jono Whitney in the third over when Anning snared him lbw.

That was the only wicket Devon gained before lunch as Murtagh (45) and Lockley (40) saw Shropshire through to 106 for one at the break, a stand of 96.

Both players rode their luck as Devon repeatedly found the edge, but the ball wouldn’t go to hand.

Lockley was relieved to one of his snicks go through the slips in the over before lunch.

Immediately after lunch Devon claimed two wickets in successive balls.

First to go was Murtagh, lbw to Bradley when he jumped back in front of his stumps and was hit on the pads.

Lockley (46) went next ball in similar fashion to the first delivery of Annin’s next over, leaving Shropshire 133 for three.

Ralph was in and out for 10 as Shropshire subsided to 155 for four. Bradley bowled him as he advanced down the track looking for a swish over mid-wicket.

Bradley collected his third wicket when he trapped Tom Collins lbw, leaving Salop 183 for five.

Simon Gregory and Collins added 54 before the next wicket fell: Collins well taken low down standing up to the stumps by Matt Thompson off David Lye for 58.

To make up for lost time yesterday, play will start at 10.30am today and continue until 8pm if weather and light permit.

Shropshire 243-6 (C P Murtagh 66, R K Oliver 58, R Lockley 46; T S Anning 2-42, C Bradley 3-73). Rain stopped play.

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