Devon Cricket Board - Sandford bring in South African all-rounder

Sandford bring in South African all-rounder

SOUTH African all-rounder Luandre Van Wyk will be Sandford’s overseas player when the Premier Division season gets under way in less than two weeks time.
Sandford are back in the Premier Division this season after a year away but haven’t forgotten their experiences of 2012 when the only won four games and finished bottom.
Runs were a problem – only George Greed and Russ Discombe passed 300 for the season – and wickets were hard to find as well.
It hasn’t helped Sandford’s cause that spinner Simon Ashplant, who had 25 wickets in the promotion side and 21 in the one that went down, will be in New Zealand this summer.
Sandford seem to have the runs covered with the arrival of opener Tom Mitcham from Braunton and, who has featured for Braunton and Barnstaple in recent seasons.
Van Wyk, who will be 24 next month, gives new captain Jamie Palmer a bit of additional firepower in both departments.
“He has played over here before for Stow in the Norfolk Alliance and took 41 wickets at 16 as well as scoring 986 runs at 51,” said Palmer, who has replaced Ashplant for the season ahead.
“He has also played some Grade cricket in Australian in Victoria and is a level two coach.
“You want to bring your young players on and we are hoping he will do that.”
Gone from last season are Ashplant, overseas player Linton Terblanche and former Devon left-hander Neil Bettis, who has apparently rejoined North Devon.
Bettis didn’t feature regularly for Sandford last season and the news he was transferring back to North Devon surprised Palmer.
“He told me he wasn’t playing cricket this summer but playing golf instead so we were not expecting a transfer request,” said Palmer.
Dave Dredge has moved away from the area but may make infrequent appearances if he is back for a family visit.
Sandford haven’t strengthened hugely over the winter in the same way as some other Premier clubs such as Exeter, Exmouth, Torquay and Bovey Tracey had.
Inevitably, Sandford will be viewed by rivals as candidates to go straight back down again.
Palmer is a realist but says anyone underestimating his side is making an error.
“We got promoted last season not because we had the best overseas player or because we had the best XI, but because we had the best team spirit,” said Palmer.
“We stuck together and played as a team. It worked as we only lost twice in the league.
“I am 29 and one of the oldest in the side, but that does not mean we are short of experience.
“Russ Discombe, Richard Tucker. Ryan Glass, George Greed and myself have all played Premier cricket before.”

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