Devon Cricket Board - Donners has one last look before cup games start

Donners has one last look before cup games start

DEVON’S team for the MCCA Cup opener against Oxfordshire should be finalised after tomorrow’s warm-up game against Somerset 2nd XI at Exmouth (12.30pm).
Shake-down games against Cardiff MCCU and the Devon Lions may have ended in defeats, but more than served their purpose for new director of cricket Keith Donohue.
Having had one last look at the personnel in contention, Donohue will finalise his team for the meeting with Oxfordshire at Bovey Tracey a week tomorrow.
Work commitments and a holiday in New Zealand have prevented Donohue seeing opening batsman Rob Woodman and all-rounder Josh Bess. It is hard to see either of last season’s ever-presents not featuring against Oxfordshire.
Donohue isn’t about to rebuild the side he has inherited from predecessor Roger Newman, but nothing stands still either and some changes are on the cards.
Former Somerset and Notts batter Matt Wood played every Cup game last season, but isn’t available until Hertfordshire visit Instow in early May.
Spinner Gary Chappell hasn’t featured in a warm-up game either and is unlikely to get in against Oxfordshire either.
And as medium pacer Ryan Bougoud has been injured or working through the pre-season process, he won’t be among the first-round selections either.
Donohue knows he has gaps to plug and is looking at his options one last time against Somerset.
“Will Murray came in for the Lions game and did well and bowls in a similar way to Bougourd,” said Donohue.
“He has been a consistent wicket-taker in the Premier Division for Sidmouth for many seasons, but has barely featured for Devon. One game four years ago is all he has had and perhaps the time has come to have another look?
“There will always be seven or eight names everyone agrees on in the team, but it isn’t a closed shop either and there are other lads right in the thick of it trying to get in.
“Liam Lewis and Matt Kidd have impressed already and are candidates. Matt Golding and Rhys Davies both have something, but may have to wait a bit longer for a chance.
“Golding and Davies are both pretty new to me and they in the 13 for Somerset so I can get a better idea of what they are about.”
Back after a season off is former captain Neil Hancock, Devon’s previously devastating all-rounder, who has made himself available for one-day cricket only.
Devon (from): C Bradley, R J Holman, J E Burke, D F Lye, N D Hancock, P Bradley, M W Thompson, M C Golding, R W Davies, L J Lewis, T S Anning, W B R Murray, M J L Kidd.
Somerset 2nd XI (from): M J Leach, T B A Abell, M T C Waller, A J Dibble, G M Hussain, C Steele, W H Jenkins, L Gregory, J A Regan, T D Rouse, O Sale, C A J Meschede.
Umpires: J Anning & A Forward.

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