EXETER will be giving their young bowlers a go this season as they aim to snatch the Premier title away from Sidmouth.
There’s no doubting the strength in Exeter’s batting department, further boosted by the arrival of Devon Lions batsman Harvey Sargent from Sidmouth.
“Harvey he will be opening for us against Bovey on Saturday and I look forward to him being part of the side this season,” said skipper Miles Lenygon.
“He's a good bloke and one of the best young cricketers in the county.”
Rob Holman is still there, so is Alex Barrow, and with skipper Lenygon and Dom Bess in the top half of the order runs shouldn’t be a problem – setting targets or chasing them.
Exeter do have issues in the bowling attack though, where they have lost more than 200 overs and 50 wickets from last season’s side with the departures of Alfonso Thomas and overseas Blake Reed.
Exeter have also lost Ollie Sale to Clevedon, although he only played a handful of games last season.
Exeter were hoping to add a bowler to the roster during the winter – overseas or otherwise – but the right player didn’t come along.
They may benefit from appearances by Somerset’s Ben Green from time to time, but for the majority of games it will be down to the talent in the ranks.
Glenn Lammonby, the former 1st XI captain who is chairman of cricket at the County Ground, is comfortable with a mix of youth and experience in the attack.
“Senior players like Jon Tipper, Rob Holman and others are there to help bring the youngsters along,” said Lammonby.
“James Taylor, Nick Horne and James Bovey are among the young bowlers we will be looking to give opportunities to in the side this season.
“We should have Dom Bess most weeks – he gives us control with the ball – and Tom Pedel, at least for the first half of the season.”
By the midpoint of the season Exeter should have Tom Lammonby as a bowling option, once his school commitments are finished. He barely bowled for Exeter or Somerset 2nd XI last summer due to a back problem.
James Khan, a hard-hitting batsman who has arrived from Thorverton, also becomes regularly available around halfway.
Lammonby said defending champions Sidmouth will take some toppling and he expects strengthened Heathcoat to be a threat.
On Exeter’s prospects, Lammonby said: “Our aim is to challenge Sidmouth at the top of the table and if we are not in the top three it will be a disappointment.
“With consistent cricket and selections, I feel we are more than capable.”
“Lenygon agrees, saying: “Last season was a fair reflection.
Sidmouth were the best and we were comfortably the second best team in the league.
“Whether that will be the case again this season is tough to tell.”
