Devon Cricket Board - Bradley upbeat ahead of final

Bradley upbeat ahead of final

DEVON’S stand-in captain Chris Bradley is confident he has the team in place to lead the side to victory over Cambridgeshire in the Minor Counties play-off final starting on Sunday.

Devon travel to March Town CC deep in the Fens as unbeaten Western Division champions to take on their counterparts from the Eastern Division.

Bovey Tracey spinner Bradley, who has only played 11 Championship games since breaking into the side, finds himself in charge as regular skipper Neil Hancock has not been selected.

Sidmouth all-rounder Hancock has to be on work business in London late on Wednesday afternoon, which is before the four-day fixture is due to finish.

The Devon management was not prepared to play a man short for the final two sessions of the game by allowing him to leave, so left him out of the side.

Bradley has captained the side once before – against Shropshire three weeks ago when Hancock was injured – and led Devon to victory then.

The stakes are higher this time, but Bradley isn’t fazed by the challenge ahead.

Bradley knows there are people to turn to on and off the pitch, starting with director of cricket Roger Newman and including numerous senior players.

“Roger was a big help to me during the Shropshire game and out on the pitch there are plenty of people to turn to for advice,” said Bradley.

“Bob Dawson has been there and done it as a former Devon captain, and players such as David Lye and Trevor Anning have got more than 10 years in and know what it is all about.

“It all worked out well against Shropshire and if we work as a team I am sure it will work out again.

“I do feel for Neil not being able to play as he must be gutted. It is a shame work has got in the way for him.”

Bradley, who has captaincy experience with Bovey Tracey, said he has learned a lot over the past two seasons with Devon about the longer form of the game. The most important one is not to panic if things don’t got according to plan.

“In a three-day game there is time to put things right and a four-day match is going to be the same,” said Bradley

“The opposition are going to put partnerships together and have good sessions – they are good players and wouldn’t be out there otherwise.

“All the teams have strength in depth, right down the order to 10 or 11. I am the only player in our side who hasn’t scored a Minors’ 50 – and my best at No.11 is 31.

“Cambridgeshire have a lad called Joe Barrs playing for them, who is at Exeter University and played for Bovey at the start of the season. He bats at No.10 for them and scored 75 in the last match to win them the game against Staffs.

“What I have learned more than anything is the game can change quickly. Against Wiltshire were bowled out in the first innings for 119 – yet went on to win the match. We beat Berkshire inside two days in our last game, which hardly looked possible at lunch on the second day.

“Keep calm and keep playing. That’s the formula.”

Cambridgeshire are a real unknown quantity for Devon, who last faced them back in 1994 in that season’s Championship final, which was played at Worcestershire. Devon won a rain-interrupted game on first innings scores.

Devon: J E Burke (Budleigh), R J Holman (Exeter), R J Woodman (Taunton), R I Dawson (Budleigh), J J Bess (Sidmouth), C Overton (North Devon), M W Thompson (Torquay), T S Anning (Exmouth),D F Lye (Exmouth), S Barlow (Budleigh), C Bradley (Bovey). 12^th C A J Martin (Budleigh).

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