Devon Cricket Board - Devon lead by 90 going into day two

Devon lead by 90 going into day two

WILTSHIRE v DEVON – DAY ONE

DEVON found themselves 90 runs ahead at the end of the first day against Wiltshire, one which saw 20 wickets fall for 219 runs scored in the first innings combined.

Following W G Grace’s dictum that you always bat first, Devon skipper Neil Hancock did just that and perhaps reflected on the good doctor’s advice as the team were bowled out for 119.

Wiltshire left-armer Taj Afridi bowled in the right areas around off-stump to pick up five Devon wickets for35 runs as batter after batter got out nibbling at a ball which was moving around.

Opener Rob Holman made a patient 20 – priceless as it turned out – David Lye made a top score of 27 and seventh-wicket pair Matt Thompson (19) and Trevor Anining (26) put on 42, which turned out to be the best partnership on either side in the first innings.

Wiltshire haven’t beaten Devon in a Championship game since 1968 – four wickets at Trowbridge in a one-innings affair – but could be excused for thinking their luck was about to turn.

Openers Ed Kilbee (36) and Jayden Levitt (13) pelted to 33 in the first five overs – and at that point Devon looked on for a pasting.

Then Hancock grabbed three wickets in a row and it was Wiltshire’s turn to slide.

Scott Barlow finished with three for 25 and Chris Bradley two for 22 as Wilts slumped from 88 for six to 100 all out.

Devon batted for the final 20 overs last night and reached 71 without loss with Holman (34) and Burke (32) the not-out batsmen.

Devon 119 (R J Holman 20, D F Lye 27, T S Anning 26; T Afridi 5-34, P J Robbins 2-18) & 71-0 (J E Burke 32no, R J Holman 34no) Wiltshire 100 (E R Kilbee 36; N D Hancock 3-22, S Barlow 3-25, C Bradley 2-22). Devon 4pts, Wiltshire 4pts

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