Devon Cricket Board - Carr five runs short of first senior ton

Carr five runs short of first senior ton

AMARA Carr fell five runs short of a maiden senior county ton as Devon opened up their 2015 Royal London One Day cup campaign with victories over Essex and Durham.
The Bank Holiday weekend fixtures commenced with a trip to Exmouth where Devon hosted Essex. With rain around and having won the toss Devon immediately asked their visitors to bat first.
The decision proved to be the correct one as Cait O’Keefe, Hazelle Garton, Hannah Linton and skipper Jodie Dibble all picked up a brace of wickets as Essex were bundled out for just 98.
Only a 40-run partnership between Karen Baker (21) and England Performance player Beth Langston (20) spared Essex’s blushes.
The Devon reply got off to a solid start as openers Carr (17) and Aylish Cranstone (10) added 34 with little trouble.
An attempted quick single resulted in the run out of Carr from a good throw to the keeper by Madi Villiers.
Small totals can sometimes get into players’ heads and so it proved as Devon slumped 45 for four thanks to three quick wickets from skipper Hannah Courtnell – one a fine catch off her bowling.
Alli Kelly and Sophie Mackenzie appeared to have things back on track before a rain break interrupted proceedings, the resumption brought the wicket of Kelly but Cait O’Keefe (19) came in and added the impetus required as she joined Mackenzie (18no) and added 31 to take the home side to victory.
There was no such problem the following day at Instow as, having lost the toss, Devon were asked to bat first and openers Carr (95) and Cranstone (60) made hay as they plundered 144 for the first wicket.
Carr and Dibble (18) added a further 55 for the second wicket before Kelly joined Carr and accelerated things nicely with 35 from 31 balls.
Carr was denied a maiden senior county hundred as she fell lbw five runs short having struck six boundaries in her 131-ball stay.
Once again rain intervened as the resumption was delayed, but not limng enough to lose any overs.
Devon opened up with Sophie Mackenzie (2-22) together with the left-arm spin of Hazelle Garton (1-20) in an effort to get the 2- overs bowled to constitute a game.
There was no need to worry though as the rain stayed away and Durham capitulated to 102 all out with skipper Dibble taking three for 19 and all bowlers taking a wicket.
Carr completed a memorable day with a smart throw from point to affect the run-out of Helen Fenby whilst also taking a smart catch in the same position to give Kiwi Hannah Linton a wicket.
An encouraging weekend for Devon with two opening wins that leaves them well placed going into the next round of fixtures at the end of May when Wales the visitors to Sidmouth followed by a trip to Taunton to face local rivals Somerset.

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