Devon Cricket Board - Donohue looking to give players opportunities

Donohue looking to give players opportunities

DEVON’S first two warm-up games are all about giving opportunities for players to press claims for places in the side.
Keith Donohue has taken over from Roger Newman as Devon CCC’s director of cricket this season and has set his agenda out from the start.
Donohue knows plenty about Minor Counties cricket having played it for 15 years and been a member of the record-breaking Devon side who won four Minor Counties titles in a row. That’s never been done before or since.
The former fast-bowling all-rounder also knows a thing or two about cricket in Devon having played in the league for Tavistock, Plymouth, Bovey Tracey and Plympton for 30 years. At the age of 49 he turned out once or twice last season.
Donohue has seen plenty of league players with the potential to make it at a higher level. Devon play Cardiff MCCU at Plymouth tomorrow (12.30pm) and the Devon Lions at Sidmouth a week later. In both games there will be chances for players to shine.
“I think there is a deep pool of players in Devon who could play for the county and we want to have a look at them,” said Donohue.
“Some players come into the set up and grow as players into the next level, but not all of them.
“These games are chances for players who are not considered regularly to play in match situations and show what they can do.”
Typical of the players Donohue has in mind is Plymouth all-rounder Rob Bennett, who was playing for Yelverton two years ago in the D Division before deciding to have a crack in the top flight.
“Rob is one of those players who did well in a league context last season, so he was asked to our indoor nets during the winter.” said Donohue.
“He has done okay indoors and now we are looking at him in a match. It is on his home ground in surroundings he is comfortable in and I hope he shows the same sort of form he displays in the league.”
Other players such as James Burke and Rob Woodman – regulars last season – can expect match time in the game at Sidmouth.
Former Somerset and Notts batsman Matt Wood is available for Devon this season – regularly but not for every game – and may well feature in the last warm-up match on April 14 against Somerset 2nd XI at Exmouth.
Cardiff MCCU have named a strong squad for the game with one name in it which sticks out above the rest.
Fabrian Cowdrey, a batter who bowls a bit of left-arm spin, is one player with impeccable cricket credentials.
Father Chris and grandfather Colin both captained Kent and England. Uncle Graeme could play a bit, too!
Among other players to watch out for are Andrew Balbirne, an Ireland international who made his First Class debut for Middlesex last season.
Zac Elkin, an early order batter, played for Western Province U19s before moving to Cardiff to complete his studies.
Mitch Wilson and Matt Hobden have bowled briskly for Derbyshire II and Sussex II in the past while Sam Mount has impressed with the bat for Somerset and Wiltshire.
Devon: C Bradley (Bovey Tracey), A P W Allen (Exmouth), T S Anning (Exmouth), R Bennett (Plymouth), R J Bougourd, P Bradley, M C Golding (all Bovey Tracey), R J Holman (Exeter), M J L Kidd (Budleigh), L J Lewis (Sidmouth), M A Orchard (Exmouth), M W Thompson (Torquay), J Toms (Plymouth).
Cardiff MCCU: A Balbirnie, A J Miles, Z Elkin, U A Qureshi, S A Mount, F K Cowdrey, S L Davies, P G Harris, J ST Denning, M J Wilson, M E Hobden, A O Morgan.
Umpires: P Mallett & R W Tolchard.

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