Devon Cricket Board - Devon planning ahead

Devon planning ahead

DEVON Lions take on Gloucestershire 2^nd XI at Sidmouth tomorrow (Thursday) in a 50-over friendly.
Three senior players – Peter Bradley, James Burke and Matt Thompson – have been included for what is expected to be a tough fixture.
Gloucestershire are expected to include a number of contracted players looking for match practice as well as the Academy players and trialists.
Curiously, there are three wicketkeepers in the side, Thompson, Peter Randerson and Cameron Grainger, although there won’t be any glove-swapping.
Thompson may be the first choice in the senior side, but Devon are already planning ahead for the possibility he won’t be there for ever.
Thompson and Randerson are playing as batters with Exeter’s Grainger the nominated keeper.
Thompson topped the Devon batting averages last season and remains in prime form in three-day cricket, which could be bad news for the county in some respects.
“We all hope Matt will be looked at by a First Class county in the near future – in fact I am amazed they aren’t chasing him now,” said Lions’ director Tim Western.
“When or if that happens Cameron will be player to step in.
“Games like this are all about preparing players for Minor Counties cricket and we want Cameron to be pushing for a place.”
Devon v Gloucestershire 2nd XI: P Bradley (Bovey Tracey), J E Burke, M L Plowman, J Dart (all Budleigh), M W Thompson (Torquay), P J Randerson (Sidmouth), J Mailling (Plympton), M J L Kidd (Bovey Tracey), C Grainger (Exeter), M C Golding (Bradninch), H Booker (Braunton).

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773