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SATURDAY, MAY 10

DEVON have released Paignton spinner James Hudson to play for his club in tomorrow's Devon Senior Cup game against Bovey Tracey.

   Hudson was the non-playing member of the 12 that defeated Wiltshire by seven wickets at Exmouth last Sunday. He was originally retained in the squad for today's date Minor Counties Trophy date with Berkshire at Newbury.

   Having added Somerset's dual-registered all-rounder Arul Suppiah to the squad, Devon were more than well covered for spinners in this match.

   Hudson wasn't dropped, but told by Devon he could play for Paignton with their blessing.

   'James is a part of our plans this season, more so in three-day cricket than the one-dayers,' said Devon captain Bob Dawson.

   'The likelihood was he would have been travelling as 12th man as we've got six bowlers already, so there didn't seem any point stopping him playing for Paignton in the cup.'

   Suppiah will play - Devon wouldn't have named him otherwise - and it seems a straight choice between Chris Mole and Sandy Allen who is left out.

   Mole, the former England Board XI wicketkeeper, travels down from Sussex to play as a specialist opener.

   As wicketkeeper Allen is hovering around eight in the order, Devon could leave him out and ask Mole to double up, which he did when he first joined the county in 2003.

   Devon are among the four teams in the five-strong group with one win under their belts. Only Herefordshire have yet to get off the mark.

   Devon have a game in hand on the rest though, all of whom have played twice so far, and can give themselves a great chance of qualifying by winning at Newbury.

   'Three wins ought to be enough to qualify so beating Berkshire would put us in a great position,' said Dawson.

   'Ideally, I would like to top the group to get home advantage in the quarter-finals as I would back us to beat anyone at Exmouth.

   'The first priority is to qualify and that's what makes this such a big game. Beat Berkshire and a win against Cornwall or Herefordshire should be enough. Win both and we top the group.'

   Berkshire were beaten by Cornwall last Sunday and will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt to keep their qualification hopes alive. They signed former Somerset and England fast bowler Richard Johnson during the close season, although he was carted around for almost eight an over against the Corns.

   Devon (squad): C M Mole (Cuckfield), J W K Beeny (Budleigh), A V Suppiah (Exmouth) R I Dawson (Budleigh), N D Hancock (Sidmouth), D G Court (Exmouth), T S Anning (Sandford), D F Lye (Sandford), A P W Allen (Budleigh), A J Procter (Budleigh), S Barlow (Sidmouth), I E Bishop (Budleigh).