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The sixteen’s lost their unbeaten county record at Torquay, where the Warwickshire batsmen exhibited a greater ability to play spin than their hosts. Batting second on a turning track Devon were confronted by not just some decent spinners but a bowling attack well supported by some brilliant catching. On the eve of the match our injured West of England captain’s school was a key part of the semi-final of Celebrity MasterChef but the celebrities were not put under the kind of pressure that was exerted on the Torquay catering team. An electrical health and safety device that protects the gas supply blew causing chaos, where is Buzza when you need him. With the huge co-operation of our visitors it was agreed to have tea at lunch and lunch at tea – possible a first. With the aid of the SKY plus freeze frame Cousens did not appear in a single shot but a friend offered his complements to the Chef. Cousens had the chicken and it was good to catch up with him and Max Curtis over the two days. Cousens is apparently spending a lot of time on languages particularly Russian and German. Curtis is keeping wicket, dropping more than he is catching, returning from the Hebrides after just two days, he and his father were fortunate that the Islands are so close to Devon. The two C’s have been huge losses and would have been vital cogs in the final furlong of 2010. The Chaplin was at the ground before the Abbott, the North in force before the South on a bright morning with Ian Western and Ken Jeffery already getting everything in place. Warwickshire fresh from Exeter University won the toss and batted. Devon’s woes then multiplied ten fold when strike bowler Jamie Overton pulled up after his first delivery. He will be a great loss to the seventeen’s if he is unable to bowl. The captain took over and with his eleventh ball he had Best caught behind. Devon made the most of the new ball when on 23 Clapper was leg before to Yates, Shoab was Yates next victim when Craig Overton held his first catch. At tea (lunch) Warwickshire were 65-3 off thirty-seven overs. The fourth wicket fell six short of the hundred in the forty-seventh over Greg Chaplin’s catch providing his captain with his second wicket. The 59 put on for this wicket may well have been the best of the innings but subsequent partnerships were equally important. At 170-8 Devon should have been satisfied with their endeavours. Craig Overton was the next bowler into the scorebook when on 136 Rhys Davies held his second catch to remove Findley. Two wickets fell on 140 Bharj was bowled Pavvie Mawalage and Fry was Craig Overton’s second victim in the same manner. Jamie Overton held a splendid catch off Yates to send Burnett and everyone else into lunch, Devon buoyant for perhaps the last time in the game at 170-8. The last two wickets added sixty which with the benefit of hindsight took the game away from Devon. Sale was run out – Eaves to Pavvi and Grundy, Warwickshire’s captain, was last out giving Craig Overton his second catch and Yates his fourth wicket for just 27 off 10.4 overs, whilst Pavvi had bowled 24-7-48-1. The concern was that some real turn was already evident. Abbott and Eaves were unbeaten after eleven overs at close with 20 on the board. The final two overs of wrist spin were disconcerting, the resting Golding had been definitely missed. It had been good to catch up with Hilary Swift and Frik Rossouw, who makes the annual visits to Kruger so very very special for the Development squads. The downside was Hilary’s husband.
Derek's’ Angels were present again in force on the second day and perhaps the Champaign Moment of the Summer occurred when Pavvie demolished the ice cream sign in full flow with arms outstretch behind two huskies on apparently sheet ice, truly memorable. Cousens went off to his Grand Prix Go Karts and Devon slumped to 92-6 after thirty-nine (28 in the morning). Many of the dismissals were similar but Eaves was an orthodox nick to the keeper, Abbott caught second slip of wrist spinner Zamen, Craig Overton bowled Grundy, it did keep low, Booker another Zamen wicket. Harry had for the first time in the gold, royal and black of Devon two disappointing days to prove he is human. The really bad news was that he was unlikely to be available for much of the 2011 season. For Rhys Davies read Abbot but Grundy the fielder and then Jamie Overton after playing his favourite shot, a six over extra cover, was leg before sweeping Zaman for 31. Matt Hunt and Jon Mears had decided to watch one of our poorer days but their company was good if not the cricket. Devon’s highest partnership of the innings – 34 - was put on by Tom Ansell and George Yates taking Devon up to 125. The lunch (yes the electricity was working now) interval undid Ansell as fifth ball after the break Tom was another caught Sale but the first of new spinner Pursers four wickets. The eighth fell at 144 when Devon’s Man of the Match George Yates was caught Grundy bowled Purser for a 96 ball 46. Passi, Merrick Steward and Greg Chaplin took the side up to 175 after sixty-seven overs, Merrick hitting the teams second six and Chaplin the final two fours. It was a disappointing performance and technique against sharp spin should be high on the list of workshops this winter. Warwickshire batted to tea scoring 85 without loss, the without loss was a concern as both the spinners should have utilised the conditions better. Warwickshire then went off well satisfied into the Friday traffic up the M5 and a game in Wales before we play them again in Leamington. Our thanks to Mark Gilmour for his work over the two days, he is off to start a new job on Monday. Davies was on a hat trick and his final shot unfortunately took out a long standing Torquay member. Devon had lost both sessions in the day and looked tired. It had been a testing week, deliberately, as next year only the fittest will be able to play three days cricket and some were unfortunately found wanting. Torquay, despite their unwarranted embarrassment, worked tirelessly in ensuring all went well over two full days. Much was learnt for the crucial under 17 game against Middlesex. Particular thanks to the chauffeurs for getting all the players to the ground, some very long round trips involved. |
