Devon Cricket Board - Bradley unconcerned by Cornish rumblings

Bradley unconcerned by Cornish rumblings

DEVON captain Chris Bradley has defended himself against accusations of killing the game from Cornwall team manager Godfrey Furse.

Rob Holman and Thompson led the way for Devon with 79 and 77not out respectively, in a total of 294 for eight when rain and bad light stopped play at St Austell.

So far all of the first day and around three hours on day two have been lost to bad weather.

Devon are potentially in a situation where they can’t lose the game on the third and final day, but Furse doubts whether they can win it either.

“The only way Devon can win is to bowl us out twice and their best chance of doing that would have been to declare and put us in for an hour,” said Furse.

“Unless both sides forfeit an innings, I can’t see how either of us stands a chance of getting a result now.”

Devon skipper Chris Bradley didn’t want to give too many of his tactics away, but said a forfeit wasn’t something he had considered.

“We set our stall out to bat for 90 overs and with nine to go and eight wickets down it won’t be long before Cornwall get in,” said Bradley.

“If we can get a few early wickets and put Cornwall under a bit of pressure, let’s see how the game pans out.”

Devon were 132 for four at lunch and when play finally resumed they lost opener Holman lbw to Alex Smeeth quickly. Smeeth had already accounted for James Burke, David Lye and Rob Woodman, whose middle stump didn’t survive the experience intact!

After Josh Bess got out for 34 compiled either side of lunch, Thompson and Peter Bradley did their best to move the scoring along with a stand of 82 for the seventh wicket.

Thompson does what he does – accumulates in an unfussy way – and finished with seven fours and two sixes in his 77. Cornwall captain Tom Sharp was hit over long-on foe one of the sixes and Sam Hockin went the same way for the other.

Bradley, the captain’s younger brother who is making his Devon debut, opened his Minor Counties account by drilling Andrew Libby’s third ball to him for four. He went on to make 35 with four fours and a six off Sharpe.

Hockin finally got Bradley to drag one on to his stumps and had next man in Trevor Anning caught at mid-on next ball. Chris Bradley watched the hat-trick ball pass by.

Smeeth with four for 62 from 20 overs – including a top nut to claim Dave Lye caught behind – was easily Cornwall’s best bowler. Sharp was economical – 30 overs for 82 runs – but failed to take a wicket.

Devon 298-8 (R J Holman 79, M W Thompson 77no, J J Bess 34, P Bradley 35; A G Smeeth 4-60). Bonus points: Devon 3, Cornwall 3.

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