Back

SUNDAY, MAY 11

HAMPSHIRE cast-off Jono McLean clouted a quickfire 147 as Devon suffered a 82-run defeat at Newbury yesterday in their second Minor Counties Trophy pool match.

   McLean, South African by birth but English-qualified, fancied himself as the next Kevin Pieterson at first during the two years he was on the staff at Southampton.

   He told a local journalist at the time: "I have to complete my four years' residential status to be available to play for England, then who knows?"

   Thirteen First Class games later, Hampshire decided they had seen enough and let the now 27 year old go.

   By the time McLean had helped Berkshire to a whopping 308 for four in 50 overs yesterday, Devon had seen enough of him too!

   Ian Bishop had Craig Crowe caught at slip by James Beeny as Devon made a bright start in the yesterday's sweltering heat at Falkland Cricket Club.

   Dave Barnes and McLean then proceeded to flog the bowling to all parts of the ground in a stand of 170 for the second wicket that effectively put the game beyond Devon.

   Andy Procter broke the stand when he had Barnes caught behind, then Scott Barlow got Steve Naylor out the same way for just four.

   All that did was bring Paul Carter in to join McLean and the trashing of Devon's bowlers resumed in earnest.

   Carter helped himself to 40 off 27 balls in a stand of 58 that rubbed salt into Devon's wounds.

   McLean, who survived   confident appeal for a catch behind down the leg side but otherwise offered no real chances, raced from 100 to 147 in 27 deliveries and finished with 15 fours and three sixes.

   Devon needed a racing start of their own to be competitive, so slumping to 20 for three on the chase was hardly ideal.

   Richard Johnson, the former Someret and England paceman   struck to remove Beeny and Bob Dawson in successive overs, then had dangerman Neil Hancock before he got off the mark.

   David Court holed out down the ground to spinner Carl Crowe for 16 made entirely in boundaries, leaving Devon 50 for four and out of it.

   Damage limitation became the order of the day, which was best achieved by batting as long as possible for as many as possible to keep the net run rate up, In the event of a tie for either of the qualifying spots in the group, run rate will be the decider.

   Neil Bettis made 66 with seven fours and a six and David Lye chipped in with 34. The pair put on 68 for the fifth wicket.

   Bettis kept going until 173 for seven when Carl Crowe had him caught behind, one of four victims for Berkshire skipper Bjorn Mordt.

   Tail ender Ian Bishop had some fun making 25 before Johnson brought play time to a halt by having him caught behind.

   Devon will want to bounce back this Sunday when they face Herefordshire at Budleigh Salterton.

   Berkshire 308-4 (J J McLean 147no, D E Barnes 86, P R Carter 40; I E Bishop 2-70), Devon 226 (N C Bettis 66, D F Lye 34; R L Johnson 4-24, C D Crowe 4-45). Berkshire (2pts) bt Devon (0) by 82 runs.