Devon Cricket Board - A Division - Salman away for Corns cruncher

CORNWOOD are going to be without overseas star Mohammad Salman for the crunch clash with Plympton at Oak Park.
While Exeter are running away with the league title, it is as tight as a tic behind them with Paignton (166pts), Cornwood (164), Brixham (157) and Plympton (156) chasing runners-up slot.
And, as skipper Craig Harris explained, it isn’t just Harris who is absent.
“Salman is missing having flown home for a T20 tournament, but will be returning,” said Harris.
“Robin Dart and Adam Goodliffe are both on holiday, but Mike Wood and Scott Mansfield return.
“An eleventh player is yet to be named as we are looking to balance teams between the club.”
Cornwood go into the game on the back of a win over Plymstock, unlike Plympton, who were second best in a drawn game against Exeter.
“I was very pleased with the way we bounced back last week following a few hard weeks of testing cricket,” said Harris.
“Choosing to bat first can sometimes put pressure on your batsman but the way our guys responded was purely professional.
“After setting the score I think we put out our best, most consistent display in the field in terms of keeping up our standard.
“We hit the ground running picking up a wicket in the first over and didn't look back.
“This week we need more of the same. Playing Plympton always brings up the 'derby' talk, but for us its another league game in which we need to get a positive result.
“Whilst last weeks result meant a lot to us, this will dictate more for the way our season ends.
“We have taken a lot of confidence from the way we have played recently and having played Plympton and been rained off, we can also take confidence from the way we played last time the two teams met.
“We are playing to win, but it won't come without hard work.”
Plympton skipper Andy Walter said the last month of the season could be nail-biting stuff.
“This is the first of five massive games in the promotion race,” said Walter.
“In the next three games we have Cornwood and in a couple weeks, Paignton who are both looking to go up.
“If we play with the fight we showed on Saturday against Exeter I don't think we'll go too far wrong.”
Matt Gregory is out due to injury so Alex Carr comes in.
Second-placed Paignton are at home to relegation worriers Shobrooke pPark.
Privately, most rival captains will tell you Paignton are favourites for the second promotion slot. However, there are no guarantees – especially when the opposition is fighting for survival.
“We seem to be improving with each game we play so it is important this weekend to continue the hard work.
“I don't expect it to be an easy game against shobrooke. They need to win to stay up and we need to win to go up so I expect a positive game of cricket.”
Paignton team news is the Benton brothers – Seb and George - have been doing an intensive driving school this week with the test Saturday. Rob Shergold and Vivek Kulkarni come in.
Shobrooke’s new captain Justin Dollow knows what to expect at Queens Park.
“A very tough game, but we need to continue picking up momentum and fight for every point,” said Dollow.
Dan Maytum replaces Chris Ford behind the stumps
Plymstock face a massive game against Abbotskerswell.
A loss to Cornwood last Saturday has let the relegation chasing pack sneak up behind them.
But a decent points haul against abbots could bring them into the relegation dogfight as well.
Plymstock are still missing strike bowler Seb Jordan, and they're also missing Liam savage.
Up steps second team captain, George barnicott to fill the gap and give the team a bit of 'bite' in the field.
George said, 'I'm always happy to help out the ones, and hopefully I can get my teeth into the task and make a difference.
“Although we're missing a couple players this week, we have a strong squad, so our 11th spot hasn't been decided yet and we'll confirm that closer to the game.”
Abbots are without Mike Pugh and Nick Halse, but bring in Hugo Whitlock, Dave Palmer and veteran Paul Mitchell, who recently switched from F Division Kingskerswell.
Runs have been a problem for Abbots, which is why in-form Mitchell steps up.
“It is time for a couple of the top six to score some big runs,” said skipper Richard Lake.
South Devon take on Braunton at Marsh Road clinging to the hope they can still wipe out the 44-point gap between themselves and safety.
“It is getting to the time of year where's it do or die,” said skipper Adrian Hewings.
“Our bank holiday trip up there yielded little, but we will have five regulars back that couldn't travel that day.”
Kevin Murphy is promoted from the 2nd XI as an extra batter.
Braunton skipper Jon Baglow is uncomfortable with his side’s 22-point safety cushion and hopes to widen it a South Devon’s expense.
“We are aware we need to improve our results, and pretty quickly,” said Baglow.
“We had a decent session in the week, and some of us really needed it. Hopefully it will move things in the right direction for the next few weeks.”
Two of Baglow’s regulars have gone down with Olympic fever – they have tickets for something in London – but otherwise the side is similar to the one that faced Shobrooke Park last time out.
“The ones at the Olympics have not missed a game this season, but in general the interest and commitment doesn't seem to be what is was,” mused Baglow.
Exeter’s worst result of the season was a losing draw at Brixham, which could be bad news for them in the County Ground rematch.
“We came off second best at their place and want to set the record straight,” said Exeter skipper Jon Tipper.
“Brixham are a decent side – they have one of the best attacks in the division apart from ours – but we are top of the table and intend to show them why.
Tom Viljoen is not available in the early order, so Mike Wilkinson comes in.
Brixham aren’t planning too many changes after their 200-run win over South Devon.
Skipper Mark Orchard knows full well Exeter will be gunning for his side and is ready for them.
“They will have a point to prove, but we feel we have pushed them close before and can do it again,” said Orchard.