Devon Cricket Board - Newman impressed by Mailing

Newman impressed by Mailing

PLYMPTON all-rounder Josh Mailing was one of success stories in the Devon Lions’ 67-run defeat by Cardiff MCCU at Torquay.
Mailing’s two wickets for 33 runs from eight overs were among the best of Devon’s bowling figures. Only Braunton spinner Harry Booker (2-24) bowled better for the county development squad.
Then, when Devon’s backs were to the wall, Mailing (pictured) helped save them from total embarrassment by making a top score of 30 after coming in at number 10.
Devon had slumped to 91 for eight chasing 234 to win before Mailing and Exeter’s Cameron Grainger (29no) stopped the rot.
The damage was done by seamers Tom Warner and Jon Denning, who had three wickets each.
By the time Ryan Bougourd was last man out to Andy Salter – a spinner being groomed by Glamorgan to replace ex-England man Robert Croft – Devon had scraped up a respectable 166 all out.
Roger Newman, Devon’s director of cricket, said Mailing had impressed him with his application in a tricky situation.
“Keith Donohue at Plympton recommended Josh for the Lions programme and we saw why against Cardiff,” said Newman.
“Josh bowled a very good first spell when he picked up a couple of wickets then showed us what he is made of with the bat.
“I know he bats high for Plympton and we only put him in at No.10 because the Lions is a development side and we wanted to give the batters who didn’t bowl a chance.
“Going in at number 10 he has batted like a number three and looked a fine young cricketer.
“You have to remember UCCE sides like Cardiff have the best of the young players around the country playing for them. Even when their full side isn’t playing, which was the case at Torquay, they had two Somerset lads, Salter who Glamorgan think highly of and Dan Bendon who plays for Northants and Oxfordshire in Minor Counties.
“These young men are seriously good young cricketers and play to win.
“Josh’s technique was thoroughly tested and it held up. That is testimony to the coaching he has had in the Devon Youth section up to U17s.
“I hope we can improve him through the Lions. I am sure he will be a better player in the U17s this season for his experience with us.”
Devon had Cardiff reeling at 82 for seven, but ended up chasing 234 to win after running into a dogged rearguard action organised by Matt Thompson.
Thompson, who topped Devon’ batting averages last season, is a student at Cardiff who can’t get into the side on a regular basis, such is the strength of the squad.
Thompson gave the Cardiff management something to think about by grafting 86 in as many balls as wrung 151 run out of the tail-enders.
Warner cracked on to make 41 at run-a-ball rate as he and Thompson hoisted 60 for the eighth wicket.
Somerset’s Sam Davies was in and out for nine, exposing last-man Tom McGeer to the Devon bowling.
McGeer blocked up one end while Thompson played his shots at the other, which included 11 fours and four sixes, one of them a belter over extra-cover and another to bring up his half century.
The stand reached 77 before Thompson was run-out off the last ball of the innings.

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