Devon Cricket Board - Newman goes spying on Trophy opponents

Newman goes spying on Trophy opponents

DEVON’S director of cricket Roger Newman has been out on a spying mission ahead of tomorrow’s must-win clash with Oxfordshire at Challow.

Win it and Devon will join Group One table toppers Cornwall in the knock-out stages of the competition.

Lose it and there are no second chances as this is the final group game and Oxfordshire will be guaranteed second place.

Devon had not game last Sunday so Newman gave up a rare Sunday off to go spying on Oxfordshire while they were beating Bedfordshire by 102 runs at Cople.

There is no point going ‘spying’ if you then give away the intelligence learned, but Newman said he did pick up some useful pointers.

“Oxfordshire have two useful opening bowlers – Chad Keegan the former Middlesex quick and Matt Taylor – who need to be treated with respect,” said Newman.

“The danger is we try to play too many shots to early against and end up 50 for three after 10 overs. I would rather be 20 for none.

“Oxfords two opening batsmen – Richard Kaufmann and Lloyd Sabin - impressed me as well.

“They put on 90 odd in the first 15 overs – a great start when you are batting, but no so good when you are bowling at them.

“The clear message there was bowl one side of the wicket and don’t give them any width. Otherwise we will be punished.”

Cornwall can’t be caught for top spot either, but there are any umber of possibilities for the second qualification place.

Hertfordshire are currently second, but have finished their fixtures.

The winners of Devon’s game will move ahead of Hertfordshire and qualify, however a no-result or complete wash out will make it really interesting.

Nett run rate will come into the equation then – the only trouble is Devon don’t have one!

“our first two games were rained off without a ball bowled – and our third match didn’t last long enough for us to get a run-rate,” said Newman.

“If we don’t get a finish some formula will have to be used to decide who goes through as we will all be on four points.

“What we do know is if we win we are definitely going to qualify and that is what we have to aim for. Then there is no uncertainty.”

Oxon add seamer Daniel Rowe and bastman Alex Jewell to the squad, but all-rounder Jack Taylor is unavailable as he is playing for Gloucestershire against Cambridge MCCU.

Devon (from): J E Burke (Budleigh), R J Woodman (Taunton), R J Holman (Exeter), D F Lye (Exmouth), M J Wood (Plumtree), J J Bess, P J Randerson (both Sidmouth), M W Thompson (Torquay), G R Chappell (Bradninch), T S Anning (Exmouth), C Bradley, R Bougourd ( both Bovey Tracey).

Oxfordshire: from R I Kaufman (Camden), L M Sabin (Banbury), C A Haupt (Banbury), N P Hawkes (Banbury), J J Perkin (Oxford), C B Keegan (Worksop), A D Jewell (High Wycombe), L C Ryan (Banbury), D T Rowe (Sully Centurions), I A Hawtin (capt, Banbury), A R Blanchard (Banbury), M D Taylor (Great & Little Tew).

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