DEVON have some catching up to do against Wiltshire at Sidmouth tomorrow (Monday) after losing twice to Wales in today’s Unicorns T20 double header at Newbridge.
Despite a maiden five-wicket haul in a Devon side for leg-spinner Ed Middleton (5-22), Wales recovered from being bowled out for 151 to win by 25 runs.
Liam Lewis hit 40 to get Devon needing 68 to win from their final five overs. The loss of Joe Hagan-Burt (29) was critical and Devon slowed to 126 for eight.
“We took too long to work out the wicket, work out the length to bowl and that we needed to take the pace off the ball,” said team manager Dave Tall.
Wales went all the way to 165 for five in game two. Middleton took two more wickets.
Devon were 159 for eight in reply when time ran out, which Tall felt made the game look closer than it was.
“Joe Hagan-Burt (20) and Matt Golding (46) gave us a great start and we were going well until Golding was run-out by a direct hit,” said Tall.
“We went from 90 for three to 90 for six and although Middleton (23no) and Dan Goodey (31) had a go, 29 off the last two overs was too many.
“What we did not do was use our heads and bat sensibly or properly.
“Our spinners bowled well in both games, but the seamers have to do better against Wiltshire.”
Goodey certainly gave it a go at the death as his 31 came off just 13 balls and included three sixes and a four.
Wales 151 (S J Pearce 25, C Z Taylor 41, T R Bevan 34: E W O Middleton 5-22), Devon 126-8 (L J Lewis 40, J O Hagan-Burt 29; P Sisodiya 2-21). Wales (2pts) bt Devon (0) by 25 runs.
Wales 165-6 (D Lezar 28, C Z Taylor 46, O M D Kolk 41, C L Herring 31), Devon 159-8 (M C Golding 46, D J Goodey 31no, Z G G Bess 23, E W O Middleton 23; C Z Taylor 2-16). Wales (2pts) bt Devon (0) by 6 runs.
DEVON have made a handful of changes to their squad for the match against Wiltshire.
Somerset and England U19 seamer Kasey Aldridge has pulled out to cram in some last-minute A-level revision. Joe Hagan-Burt, who was a late addition to yesterday’s squad, stays in.
Dan Pyle does not feature in today’s squad. He was in the travelling party against Wales but missed out on a place. Also missing are Jamie Stephens and Matt Petherbridge. New faces are Alex Barrow, George Benton, Toby Codd and James Degg.
Devon v Wiltshire, from: M W Thompson (St Fagans), A W R Barrow (Sidmouth), M C Golding (Bovey Tracey), L J Lewis (Heathcoat), Z G G Bess (Sidmouth), J O Hagan-Burt (Plymouth), G B Allen (Torquay), J E Thompson (Congresbury), D J Goodey (Bashley), G Benton (Paignton), E W O Middleton (Exeter), T J R Codd (Bovey Tracey), J H G Degg (Torquay).
Wiltshire: T I Morton, J O Haines, J Goodwin, E G C Young, N J Clark, J B Lintott, B C Dawson, T G Afridi, A B F Godsal, L A Evans, J M King, M Burton.
