Devon Cricket Board - Bradley sets sights on KO Cup

Bradley sets sights on KO Cup

SKIPPER Chris Bradley believes Devon can go all the way to the final in this season’s Minor Counties Trophy after breezing past Oxfordshire to reach the last eight.
Devon clinched qualification from their group last Sunday thanks to a 166-run win over Oxfordshire at Challow.
Bradley did his bit with a five-wicket haul as Oxfordshire were bowled out for 111 in reply to Devon’s 277 for nine in 50 overs.
Devon travel to Corsham to play Wiltshire in the quarter-finals on June 17.
Bradley is confident Devon have the firepower with bat and ball to dispose of Wiltshire and take a step closer to the final, which is on the Getty Ground in Buckinghamshire this year as Lord’s is not available.
‘It goes without saying you need a bit of luck, but if we can repeat the way we played against Oxfordshire I feel we can get to the final, said Bradley.
‘It is not exaggerating to say we outplayed Oxfordshire in every way.
‘Four of our top five –Woodman, Holman, Wood and David Lye – all made runs. They didn’t slog it, just waited for the bad ball to come along.
‘When our scoring rate slowed down, which was always going to happen as the ball got softer and started to stick in the pitch, we didn’t panic. Instead we worked the ball around and got out runs a different way.
‘Oxfordshire came out blazing – they had to faced with that sort of total – and I was pleased to see it didn’t faze us.
‘Our bowling attack has a lot of variety – spin, seam, left-arm, right-arm – and that helps you get through sides.
‘And when you have someone like Gary Chappell coming in at number nine – a player with centuries in the Premier Division – there is depth to the batting.
‘For 50-over cricket we have a side that is balanced. Just as importantly, the team has the will to win.’
Devon have no game today, but are about to embark on a busy run of fixtures.
A week today – June 3 – Cardiff MCCU are the opposition at Torquay in a 50-over friendly against the Devon Lions.
On June 6 a Devon XI will be playing Gloucestershire Gladiators at Cornwood (4pm) in a T20 fund-raiser. The beneficiaries are the David Shepherd Foundation and Alex Gidman’s testimonial fund.
Devon begin their defence of the Minor Counties Championship title won last year when they play Wales over three days at Exmouth, starting on June 10.
Devon Lions: P Bradley (Bovey Tracey, captain). E Rice, J Dart (both Budleigh). J J Bess, P J Randerson (both Sidmouth), M J Golding (Bradninch), M H Curtis (Exmouth), R J Bougourd (Bovey), C Grainger (Exeter), N S Watkin (Torquay), M I J Plowman, J Mailling (Plympton).

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