Devon Cricket Board - Premier previews - May 24: Green back for Exeter

EXETER welcome back England U17 all-rounder Ben Green for their meeting with Torquay on the County Ground.
Green (pictured) hasn’t played for Exeter since the first day of the season, but is back just when the city side could do with him.
Batter Tom Viljoen has to work while Zac Bess is in France, watching Jonny Wilkinson bid farewell to rugby.
“Zac told me before he joined from Sidmouth,” said skipper Miles Lenygon.
“It’s a big event in the rugby calendar and I have no problems with players having a game off if they tell me in advance.
Torquay, one off the bottom of the table, are boosted by the inclusion of Somerset’s Max Waller and Devon’s Matt Thompson.
Out go Neil Osborne – the young soccer goalkeeper attracting the attention of Premier League talent scouts – and Ben Francis.
LEFT-arm spinner Matt Coult makes his Exmouth debut second time around in the home game against Cornwood.
Coult, who played age-group cricket for Cornwall, moved to South Devon CC five years ago in search of regular 1st XI cricket.
He hasn’t played regularly for the past couple of seasons, but seems to have rediscovered his appetite for the game.
Lawrence Greenway makes way for Coult as Exmouth go in search of a win to keep the top two in their sights.
“We can play better than we have been and we need to do that against Cornwood,” said Exmouth captain Richard Baggs.
“We normally get better as the season gets going and some dryer weather would be nice.
“I am confident we can win the game and keep pressure on the other teams at the top.”
Cornwood haven’t won since day one when they overturned Sandford.
There is a 13-point cushion between the Corns and the bottom two, which could do with widening.
“We shall be looking to build on the previous three weeks’ efforts” said skipper Jason Hall.
“We know Exmouth have some quality players, however we can’t worry about that too much, after all it’s why we play cricket and why we want to be in this division, to mix it with the best.
“So far we have benefited from a few individual performances, we now need to build on that as a team, in all departments.
“To date we haven’t managed to build enough partnerships as a team and we really need to start implementing that.
“Batters need to be a little bit more selfish and forget the net shots and start playing time.
Bowlers need to want the ball in the hand and be the one to step up consistently.
“If we can do both of these things then I know the lads have it in them to push on.”
South African seamer Byron Langley seems to be settling in now and Hall has great expectations of the lad from Durban.
“Byron bowled well in his second and third spell last week as he adjusts to the conditions over here,” said Hall.
“Hopefully, he now is starting to feel more accustomed and can really begin to show what he can do.”
Steve Lambert comes in after a run of good scores in the 2nd XI.
“I have every confidence he will carry that over to the 1st XI in the coming weeks,” said Hall.
Ben Warren drops down to booster the in-form 2nd XI, who entertain Plymouth 3rd XI.
BOVEY Tracey have been forced to ring the changes for their trip to Instow, which isn’t idea after a win last time out.
Charlie hill, Sam Hickingbottom, Ryan Bougourd and Mark gribble are all unavailable.
In come Sam Wyatt-Haines, Ben Ayres, Jonty Woods and Jack Thomas.
“Always tough to get a result at North Devon, but we are looking forward to the game and the challenge,” said Bovey skipper Andy Fairbairn.
“They will be keen to bounce back after losing to Plymouth and we will take some momentum in from beating Exeter ,so it should be a well-fought encounter.”
North Devon will be without batsman Jas Kalsi due to sickness, but have Ed Yeo (pictured) back after a weekend off as a straight swap at six.
North Devon lost heavily at Plymouth last time out, not an outcome skipper Matt Westaway wants to repeat.
“We have to knuckle down and play the cricket we are capable of, which we haven’t been doing,” said Westaway.
“With a strong side and on our own ground we can have no excuses against Bovey.”
SIDMOUTH will hope to put their off-field upheavals behind them when Sandford visit the Fortfield.
The Premier leaders have lost young keeper-batter Dan Powell to Heathcoat this week – the third player to leave the club since the start of the season. Cousins Dom and Zak Bess had already left for Exeter.
Skipper Will Murray has nothing new to add to the Powell affair and is concentrating on beating bottom side Sandford.
“Just like Torquay last Saturday they (Sandford) have some match-winners in their side so where they are in the table is irrelevant,” said Murray. “To beat them we will have to play well.”
Sandford will be without Adrian Small and George Greed, both not available. Shaun Hawkins comes in and Ryan Glass returns after injury.
POWELL is set to make his debut for Heathcoat against visiting Plymouth – if the paperwork went through before last night’s deadline.
Paul Elliot comes into the side as bowling cover for the absent Ben Pitkin.
Powell will keep wicket instead of skipper Sam Smith, who is in Edinburgh this weekend to run a marathon.
Jack Menheneott and Qassim Adams will manage the side in Smith’s absence.
Plymouth are looking to build on the win over North Devon which maintained their 100 per cent record and put them second behind Sidmouth.
We are looking forward to the game against Heathcoat,” said skipper Matt Hooper.
“Heathcoat look like they have a good side and they were difficult to beat on their own patch last time we played there.
“We are also looking forward to seeing their new pavilion, which I have heard great things about.
Plymouth will be without Harry Stephenson and Hamish Gardiner but that allows a great opportunity to hand Premier debuts to Jack Hughes and Jon Varcoe.
“Both have been knocking on the door for some time now and I am eager to see how they get on,” said Hooper.
“Both have performed consistently well in the second team and both deserve their chance.
“Jack will keep it tight in the middle overs and Jon will hopefully follow up his 80 odd last weekend with another score this week.”
Also on form are openers James Toms and Ben Stein.
“I am looking forward to seeing if they can put together another 100-plus partnership,” said
“Jake Luffman also got a hundred in the week so I am sure he will hitting top form again soon.
Our bowling has been good so far this year but we must bowl and field well for the whole 50 overs, rather than just the first 30 or so.
“We know it will be a tough game over there, but we are looking to maintain our winning start to the season.”