Devon Cricket Board - First outing for Devon

First outing for Devon

DEVON get their season under way on Sunday when Exeter University visit the County Ground (1pm).
The first serious game of the season is three weeks away when Wiltshire visit Instow in the Minor Counties KO Cup.
Devon have been in the nets since Christmas so fitness levels shouldn’t be an issue.
The first two friendlies of the seaon – Devon play Somerset II at Heathcoat a week on Sunday – are concerned with stocking up the talent bank.
Keith Donohue, Devon’s director of cricket, probably knows now nine of his starting XI for the Wiltshire game.
What he doesn’t know is who will fill the last two places – and who will come into the reckoning over the season when the inevitable changes have to be made due to form, fitness or availability.
So, while senior players such as David Lye, Sandy Allen, Matt Golding Matt Thompson, Trevor Anning and skipper Josh Bess get time on grass, most of the rest of the team are future prospects.
The exception is former captain Chris Bradley, whose fitness remains questionable.
“Chris was falling apart at the end of last season due to his shoulder problems and there was talk of him not playing at all,” said Donohue.
“He is still keen to play in the one-day games and we are keen to have him as he remains a fine bowler.
“We need to know where his fitness is at, which is the reason for playing him against the University.”
North Devon opener Barney Huxtable (left) is given a chance at the top of the order after impressing for the Lions Development XI last season.
Sidmouth’s Liam Lewis was the leading run scorer in the Premier Division last season with 904, but only played in a couple of early Cup games before work commitments got in the way.
“Liam’s availability has improved considerably this year and we are looking forward to seeing a lot more of him, and not just in one-day cricket.
Sidmouth spinner Charlie Miles made it into the top-10 bowling list last season and gets a chance to impress.
“Players who do well in the league deserve a chance and need to know it will come,” said Donohue.
Similar thinking is behind the selection of Plymouth seamer Sam Stein, a player Donohue thinks is improving all the time.
“Sam is often underestimated as a bowler, but for three or four years now he has performed consistently at Premier level and in the Lions,” said Donohue.
The last player being weighed up is Barnstaple & Pilton’s Jack Popham, another seamer with potential.
Popham (right) has come through the Devon youth system while staying loyal to the B Division club.
It isn’t just Devon who think Popham has potential as he has been netting with Gloucestershire’s academy players during the winter.
Devon have named a 12-man squad for the match and will follow 2^nd XI format by rotating players in the field.
Devon” B G Huxtable (North Devon). L J Lewis (Sidmouth), D F Lye (Exmouth), J J Bess (Sidmouth), A P W Allen (Exmouth), M C Golding (Bovey Tracey), M W Thompson (Torquay), T S Anning (Exmouth), C Bradley (Bovey Tracey), C L Miles (Sidmouth), J R Popham (Barnstaple & Pilton), S Stein (Plymouth).
Exeter University: T B Abell, A S N Curtis, A Morgan, O C H Mills, M J Laidman, W R G Leith, N Prowse, Z C G Bess, J M E Barrs, B Lane, T Barton, J Rimmer.

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