By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
ANOTHER five-wicket haul for paceman Kazi Szymanski helped Devon dominate day one of the National Counties Championship game against Cornwall at Truro.
Szymanski took five wickets in the first innings of his debut game for Devon against Wales last time out – and repeated the feat against Cornwall at windy Boscawen Park.
Cornwall were bowled out for 205 in their first innings and at last night’s close Devon were 119 for two. Matt Thompson, reached 50 not out in the final over of the day.
Szymansk grabbed all the wickets that fell in Cornwall’s running total of nine for three in the fifth over and could have had a couple more in his opening spell had catches either gone to hand or stuck in palms when they found them.
While Szymanksi was operating superbly from one end, fellow paceman Dan Goodey was bowling tight lines at the other for no reward at all. His 14 overs for just 33 runs helped pile pressure on Cornwall.
Skipper Scott Harvey (27) and Matt Robins (49) pieced together a stand of 62 for the fourth wicket that got Cornwall back in the game. Harvey went first, lbw to Devon captain Jamie Stephens (3-73), followed by Robins to the returning Szymanski.
James Turpin (26) kept the scoreboard moving and bits and pieces from the lower order got Cornwall up to 205. Szymanski had one last spell against last man Craig Johnson which produced his his fifth wicket.
Szymanski’s five-for-42 haul takes his tally to 13 wickets in a game and a half since he returned to Devon ranks. It’s not surprising that Worcestershire have invited the former Glamorgan staffer up to New Road next week to have a look at him.
Szymanski – Torquay born and bred – went through the Academy system at Glamorgan before joining the staff in 2019. He was released after one season and has been playing league cricket for Swansea since leaving the pro ranks.
Devon’s men out when they batted last night were opener Elliot Hamilton – lbw first ball to Tommy Sturgess – and James Horler for 60. It was Horler’s maiden half-century for Devon, which he brought up with a calm-as-you-like six hoisted away over square leg.
“In the short time James has been playing for Devon that is the best he has batted opening the innings,” said Dave Tall, the Devon team manager.
For Devon captain Stephens it was a good day’s cricket. As skippers do though he could see room for improvement.
“That was a 250 or maybe more pitch so to bowl Cornwall out for 206 was a great effort in the field,” said Stephens.
“Had our catching been a bit sharper we could have had Cornwall out for 180, which would have been better.”
Cornwall 206 (M L Robins 49, P S Smith 59, S A Harvey 27; K B Szymanski 5-42, J A Stephens 3-73), Devon 119-2 (J D Horler 60, M W Thompson 50no). Bonus points: Devon (4), Cornwall (1).
