DEVON’S Twenty20 cricket remains a work in progress following a 50-50 double date with Dorset at Sidmouth.
Twenty20 cricket is a new innovation to Minor Counties Cricket this season and Devon aren’t the only side feeling their way at it.
Cornwall fenced with Devon at Truro on Sunday, where it ended honours even with a win each in Group Four.
The score was one-all again on the Fortfield, where Devon lost the first game by 36 runs, but recovered to win the second by 30.
Dorset, with three wins in four outings top Group Four after two rounds of games.
Devon have some work to do if they are going to qualify from the pool for finals days in August.
Keith Donohue, Devon’s director of cricket, said the cut-down nature of 20-over cricket can be unforgiving.
“We didn’t bowl very well in the first game and in 20 overs it’s hard putting that right,” said Donohue.
“When we batted we could have done better, even though Dorset did have a strong bowling attack.
“In the second game we were much better, which was how it went for us against Cornwall on Sunday.
“Alex Barrow batted brilliantly for his 93 – he got in for 10-12 overs then really played his shots – and 160 to win for Dorset was pretty imposing.
“What we still have to work on when we bat in T20 is players realising that 15s and 20s aren’t enough. More of the have to get past 30 more often.”
Mark Wolstenholme top scored with 43 off 32 balls for Dorset in their game-one total of 139 for seven.
Wolstenholme proved adept at finding the gap of the edge between keeper and slip – and ha a couple of let offs in the field
Devon learned yesterday that tracking a white ball against a clear blue sky isn’t straightforward.
Alex Eckland, an 18-year-old Millfield School boy, made 21 and looks a player worth watching out for.
Twenty20 cricket run chases benefit from either an anchorman or a pinchhitter. Devon had neither. They were 50 for five at half way and had no more luck second half catching up.
Jigar Naik took three for 29 as Devon meandered to 103 all out. Joe Thompson top scored with 19.
Second time round Barrow went in at 32 for three in the sixth over and fell lbw to Wolstenholme for 93 in Devon’s total of 159 for five. The former Somerset staffer hit 13 fours and two sixes from 59 balls faced.
Dorset lost opener Ed Ellis first ball to Tom Lammonby and Luke Webb in the second over to George Benton.
Wolstenholme made 40 and Eckland 48 in Dorset’s 123 for nine. No one else made more than nine!
Dorset 139-7 (M A Wolstenholme 43, A J Eckland 21; G R Chappell 3-21), Devon 103 (J E Thompson 19; M A Wolstenholme 3-20, J K H Naik 3-29). Dorset (2pts) bt Devon (0) by 36 runs.
Devon 159-5 (A W R Barrow 93; M A Wolstenholme 3-22), Dorset 129-9 (M A Wolstenholme 40, A J Eckland 48; S Barlow 3-22, Z G G Bess 2-18). Devon (2pts) bt Dorset (0) by 30 runs.
