Devon Cricket Board - Bradley has spin or seam choice to make

Bradley has spin or seam choice to make

NOTHING less than a win will satisfy Devon skipper Chris Bradley from the Minor Counties Championship game against Berkshire at Finchampstead.
Devon have suffered rotten luck with the weather so far this season as two of their three Championship games failed to finish.
Beating Wales by five wickets in a rain-ruined game at Exmouth has proved enough to keep Devon among the front-runners up to now.
Cornwall and Shropshire are joint top with Devon 10 points behind them in third.
If Devon want to retain the Minor Counties title they won last year when they defeated Cambridgeshire in the final at March Town, they have to win some games.
As Devon’s final three games are Berkshire, Dorset and Shropshire, Bradley says the strategy is straightforward.
‘We want to arrive at the Shropshire game in a position where we can overtake them by winning,” said Bradley.
‘That means winning every game between now and then, which makes the Berkshire game a huge one.
‘Not a lot has gone our way this season because of the weather, but the forecast suggests we are in danger of playing all three days at Finchampstead.
“’Talking to the players they are all massively geed up for the game and the lack of action has only made them keener than ever to win.’
Devon show one change from 12 named for the wash out against Herefordshire at Sidmouth two weeks ago.
Opening batsman Rob Woodman has to work, which is not a major problem as Rob Holman will move up one in the order and the rest will follow suit.
Devon have a long batting line-up – skipper Bradley bats at four or five for club side Bovey Tracey yet goes on 10 or even 11 for Devon – so Woodman won’t be missed.
And with all that batting Devon have been able to bring in an extra bowler in the shape of Charlie Morris (pictured).
Morris wasn’t considered for the Herefordshire game as Worcestershire had him for assessment and a 2^nd XI game against Lancashire.
Bradley is keen to have a full hand of bowling options, hence the decision to pick Morris.
Leg-spinner Matt Golding, who was 12^th man against Herefordshire, is retained for this match and it appears a straight fight between the two for one place.
‘No decision will be made until we get to Finchampstead and have a look at the conditions,’ said Bradley.
‘If it is dry and looks like a turner, we may go for Matt. If it isn’t then there is a definite case for an extra seamer.’
Devon have been to Finchampstead four times since 1988 and have not lost there yet.
Significantly, only one game has ended in an outrightwin though and that was in 2003 when left-arm spinner Arwyn Jones batted eight for 77 in the match.
Devon won the game by 162 runs and went on to claim the Western Division title that season.
Berkshire clearly think the wicket will suit spinners as they have three in their 12.
Former Hants, Middlesex and England spinner Shaun Udal is in his second season as Berkshire’s professional.
Chris Peploe, another ex-Middlesex spinner, is back in the three-day side having missed every game this season.
And the twirly trio is completed by Gurveer Singh, a left-armer who was with Bedfordshire last season but played age-group cricket from U14 upward for Berkshire.
Berkshire (from) B H D Mordt, D E Barnes, M Jones, J C Morris, S P Naylor, E E Brock, C T Peploe, S R Davison, S D Udal, I W Sturmer, Gurveer Singh, S S E Gumbs.
Devon: J E Burke (Budleigh), R J Holman (Exeter), D F Lye (Exmouth), S R Benton (Paignton), J J Bess (Sidmouth), M W Thompson (Torquay), P Bradley (Bovey), M C Golding (Bradninch), T S Anning (Exmouth), C Bradley (Bovey), C A J Morris (Budleigh), R J Bougourd (Bovey).
Umpires: S F Bishopp & J S Attridge.

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773