Devon Cricket Board - Bradley calls time on Devon career

Bradley calls time on Devon career

Chris Bradley on his home ground at Bovey Tracey. pondering his next move in the win over Oxfordshire in 2013
FORMER Devon captain Chris Bradley has announced his retirement from Minor Counties cricket after realising a troublesome shoulder injury has made impossible to continue.
Bovey Tracey favourite Bradley made his Devon debut in 2010, going on to play 22 Minor Counties Championship matches and another 15 in the Minor Counties KO Cup.
Off-spinner Bradley took 78 Championship wickets at an average of 24.02 with a career best of five for 89 and seven for 47 for figures of 12 for 136 in the match against Shropshire at Exmouth in 2011.
Bradley was awarded his county cap during the match.
On the one-day scene Bradley took 29 wicket at 14.2 each.
Devon asked Bradley to skipper the side against Cambridge in the 2011 Minor Counties play-off game at March Town when captain Neil Hancock was unable to play.
Bradley led Devon to victory and kept the job through 2012 before standing down early in the 2013 season. He played on under new captain Josh Bess, but had to withdraw from the last game of the season against Oxfordshire because of his shoulder injury.
Bradley was picked for Devon’s pre-season games against University of Exeter and Somerset 2^nd XI, but had to drop out because of his injury, which is a legacy of a rugby career while at college.
Having taken medical advice, Bradley has called it a day for Devon but will carry on playing for Bovey Tracey as long as he holds together.
“I could have played on using pain-killing injections, which was what I did last year, but decided I wouldn’t,” said Bradley.
“I really need an operation to put things right and have been told by the specialist if I have it I won’t be able to bowl again.
“All the ligaments will be pulled so tight I won’t be able to get my arm over to bowl.
“Regrettably, it is time to finish with Devon, but I will carry on for a few more years yet with Bovey Tracey as a batsman and may bowl a few overs here and there.
“Devon has been a great experience, but now it is time for new ones and to spend a bit more time with my two young girls. Minor Counties cricket is quite a commitment.”
Looking back on his four years in the county side, Bradley said it was hard to pick a highlight as there were so many!
“To be honest I thought my chance had gone as I was 27-28 when Devon first started looking at me,” said Bradley.
“I didn’t have the traditional background of Devon youth, but had played as a kid at Stokeinteignhead, which is real grass roots cricket and a great place to learn about the game.
“Just playing was a highlight and to be asked to captain the side in the play-off game was unbelievable.
“The game against Shropshire at Exmouth was special as I was awarded my county cap during it. I was told at the time no one in Devon history had won their cap as quickly, which is an honour in itself.
“Playing for Devon with my brother Peter in the same side was another proud moment.
“I would like to thank all the people who supported and helped me, especially Roger Newman as director of cricket at the time, who gave me the chance to play.
“The captains I played under – Bob Dawson, Hanks and Josh Bess – were all fantastic. And I would like to thank all the players who supported me in my time as captain.”

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