Devon Cricket Board - Devon learn lessons from Glocs mauling

Devon learn lessons from Glocs mauling

DEVON’S 98-run defeat by Gloucestershire 2^nd XI at Exeter on Sunday wasn’t a disaster, according to team chief Roger Newman.

Gloucesteshire made 229 for seven in the 50-over friendly – Christian Purchase top scoring on 75 from 34 balls as Devon’s bowlers were lashed all around the County Ground.

Opener Barney Huxtable stroked an unbeaten century in reply as Devon reached 241 for seven in reply before the overs ran out.

Exmouth batsman Huxtable was the obvious star turn for Devon, but Newman said there was a danger of overlooking the other positives to come out of the fixture.

“This was a development game which was all about learning and I think we did that,” said Newman.

“Gloucestershire showed us to score runs and in the process we learned a lot about players individually and collectively.

“They got too many runs for us, possibly because we bowled on both sides of the wicket too often in the first 10 overs, and also because we didn’t get our field settings right.

“If you don’t bowl in the right areas and to your field you are likely to get punished.

“We clawed our way back in the middle by bowling tighter and getting our fields right and until six or seven overs out looked like chasing 280-290.

“Cameron Herring came in at the end and played an exceptional innings (58 off 30 balls) and that was when they finally got away from us.

“Some of our bowlers didn’t bowl as well as they are capable of, but two young lads did.

“Matt Kidd and Charlie Morris have both made their Minor Counties debuts this season and are fine prospects.

“If they are give the right opportunities by their clubs I can see them becoming top Minor County cricketers in future.”

Newman said Huxtable was not the finished article yet, but showed he is ready for the step up from U19 and Premier cricket to the next level.

“To go out and bat for 50 overs against a team of young professionals and score an unbeaten hundred shows me Barney is close to stepping up again” said Newman.

“He still has a lot to learn about his game, but I can see him pressing for a Minor Counties place soon.”

Barton’s Adam Parker, who captained the side, was second top scorer with a brisk 34 in a stand of 67 with Huxtable.

Newman said he had made a good job of a difficult task captaining a team of players who barely knew each other.

“Adam is an experienced league captain, a knowledgeable level three coach and someone who knows how to motivate the players around him,” said Newman.

“I thought he led the team well on and off the pitch and also by example with his own performance.”

Parker was a little embarrassed by the glowing praise from Newman, but admitted it was an experience he enjoyed.

“This is the second game of this kind I have played in – Somerset was the other – and both of them have been worthwhile exercises,” said Parker.

“Twice our young players have come up against good teams and while we haven’t won we have learned from the experiences.

“I have really enjoyed captaining the side and would like to do it again, if asked.”

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