Devon Cricket Board - Two set for Devon debuts

Two set for Devon debuts - but which two?

DEVON will have two debutants in the side when they face Cornwall at instow today in the Minor Counties Trophy – the question is which two!
Batter Peter Randerson, spinner Max Curtis and seamer Ryan Bougourd are the three new faces in the Devon squad or 12 for the match.
Given the soggy conditions over the past few days, it seems unlikely spinner Curtis will have much to offer at North Devon’s ‘links’ ground.
However, that decision will lie with skipper Chris Bradley after he has had a good look at the pitch.
Someone who won’t be playing is regular opener Rob Woodman, who has work commitments this weekend and was never in the squad.
Burke is poised to open the batting with Rob Holman, followed by David Lye at three and former Somerset and Notts batsman Matt Wood.
Wood, a former Devon player before joining the pro ranks, where he scored more than 5,000 runs, is a welcome addition according to Bradley.
“His career record speaks for itself and someone of Matt’s knowledge and experience is going to be useful to have around as he will have plenty to contribute,” said Bradley.
An initial squad of 16 was whittled down to 13 and 12 for all practical purposes when the Overton twins, Gary Chappell and Glen Querl dropped out one after the other.
Dual registered Craig and Jamie Overton were required by Somerset for the County Championship game against Lancashire - Craig to play, Jamie as 12th man - while Chappell has pulled out due to other commitments.
Querl, the professional at Instow-based North Devon CC, has made himself unavailable for the county to play for his club side instead.
The English-qualified Zimbabwean is in a difficult position as he has been playing for Somerset 2nd XI in recent weeks, is in the Unicorns squad for the CB40 competition and has to honour his commitments to North Devon as well.
It would seem Querl feels he should turn out for North Devon in a league game tomorrow to show is commitment to the club.
As Querl is trying to break into pro cricket - he was an MCC young cricketer and is also attracting interest from other counties apart from Somerset - playing for Devon would only be a short-term proposition anyway.
Given Devon’s lack of bowling options right now - no Hancock, Barlow or Bishop from the squad which reached the quarter-finals last season - skipper Chris Bradley wouldn’t have minded having Querl around for a game or two.
However, as all-rounder James Burke has indicated he is fit to bowl - something which has been a problem during pre-season - Querl’s absence isn’t as troublesome as it could have been.
“James is an experienced bowler in this form of cricket and someone you can feel confident of throwing the ball to during a powerplay or at the death,” said Bradley.
“Querl would have been hand - he has been playing First Class cricket in Zimbabwe during our winter - but with Burkie able to bowl it isn’t a disaster he can’t play.
Cornwall are keen to avoid a repeat of the lapses which cost them the corresponding fixture last year and a realistic chance of reaching the last eight.
‘We put two catches down early on and ended up chasing seven or eight an over, which was too many on that pitch,” said team manager Godfrey Furse.
“Right now my main concern is the weather as we have already lost one game and don’t really want to lose another.
“If everyone is wiped out again this week it could get messy. All of us will be looking to win our last two games, apart from Bedfordshire who have a game in hand.
“And then it could come down to run rate, which is a bit of a lottery.”
Cornwall name the same team which should have played Oxfordshire at St Austell last Sunday.
Devon followers will be surprised there is no place in the Cornwall team for ex-keeper-batsman Sandy Allen.
The Cornwall selectors have decided to keep faith with St Austell youngster Taylor Williams.
Devon (from): J E Burke (Budleigh), R J Holman (Exeter), D F Lye (Exmouth), M J Wood (Plymtree), J J Bess (Sidmouth), D J Bowser (North Devon), J Overton (North Devon), T S Anning (Exmouth), M Curtis (Exmouth), R Bougourd (Bovey Tracey), M W Thompson (Torquay), M Curtis (Exmouth), C Bradley (Bovey Tracey).
Cornwall: M L Robins, M H Rowe, D F Davis, K A Parsons, T G Sharp, C A Hunkin, T Williams, A G Smeeth, K J Snell, A C Libby, S C Hockin, A D Angove.
Umpires: S F Bishopp & A Hicks.

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