By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

DEVON’S team management has not given up all hope of playing some cricket this summer even though a proposed T20 tournament has been cancelled.

Devon were due to play Dorset at North Perrott CC this Sunday (July 26) in a warm-up for an eight-game T20 tournament involving themselves, Cornwall, Dorset, Wiltshire and Herefordshire.

The tournament was due to start on the first Sunday in August and run through to a finals day in September.

Representatives of all 20 members of the National Counties Cricket Association, the new name for Minor Counties cricket, held a Zoom conference-call meeting on Monday to decide whether the tournament should go ahead?

Devon, Cornwall and Dorset were among the nine counties to vote in favour of the tournament, but the ballot went against them by an 11-9 margin and the competition has been cancelled.

Nigel Mountford, the county club’s chief executive, said: “There were just too many issues involved for some of the counties.

“Travel to games in single cars, overnight accommodation, social distancing and all that goes with it were worries for a lot of the counties.

“Although the vote went against us we are hoping to get some cricket in later in August.”

With nothing to warm-up for right now, the game against Dorset has been shelved, although it may yet be revived.

Neil Gamble, the Devon chairman, said: “It is hoped to play that game and fixtures against two other South West National County team later in August.”

Dave Tall, Devon’s director of cricket, had been putting the finishing touches to his squad for the game against Dorset when he heard it was off.

Tall said he was gutted for the players more than anything else and welcomed Gamble’s aims to get some county games played.

“I know there will be people who say ‘why bother?’, but there is more to Devon cricket than just this season,” said Tall.

“It would be a positive thing to bring in some lads who might not have featured before to see if they are ready?

“I am not talking about stripping the side down, but at bringing in some players with an eye to the future.

“There is a world of difference between the cricket played on a Saturday afternoon in the league and playing for Devon.

“It could be a chance for a few to see the difference between where they are now and what they might be aspiring to.”

Tall said he felt sorry for the Devon players and supporters who had been looking forward to some county cricket.

“They must be gutted as they have waited so long and have now had the hope of something taken away,” said Tall.