CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

DEVON have been forced to make changes to their match-day squads for the Bank Holiday double date in the National Counties T20 competition.

The prospect of impending fatherhood is responsible for Cornwood all-rounder Elliot Staddon pulling out of Sunday’s game against Wiltshire at Exmouth and Monday’s visit to North Perrott to play Dorset.

With 12 left in the squad the team management are not looking to bring anyone else in.

It is a different story on for the game against Dorset as left-arm spinner Fahad Sabir (unavailable) and early order batsman Jamie Baird have pulled out. Baird has been called up by Somerset for a second team against Gloucestershire.

Plymouth’s James Degg is the batting replacement for Baird. Team manager Dave Tall is keeping his options open regarding spin bowling cover.

“There are players out there that we know about and could come in if needed,” said Tall, who took in Saturday afternoon friendly between Bovey Tracey and Paignton.

“Ben Beaumont’s off-spin is another option and he is already in the squad.

“Either way I am not stressed about what we do.”

Devon defeated Cornwall by one-run in last Sunday’s T20 opener against Cornwall at Werrington, but were beaten by three wickets in the afternoon re-run.

Having started their group two fixtures a week later than the other four teams in the group, Devon have some catching-up to do as they are on the bottom of the table.

With only two points between Devon at the bottom and Wiltshire at the top, and eight points to play for over the Bank Holiday, table positions can change in a hurry.

Devon v Wiltshire (squad): C J Haggett (Bridgwater), J D Horler (Exmouth), J W Baird (Sidmouth), B A Beaumont (Cornwood/Bristol), A J Small (Sandford), E H Hamilton (Plympton), M P Skeemer (Cornwood), S O Read (Exeter), D J Goodey (Bashley/Rydal), E W O Middleton (Taunton Deane), K B Szymanski (Swansea), F Sabir (Ombursley).

Wiltshire: J B Lintott, J Goodwin, W L Naish, E G C Young, N J Clark, B L Draper, T I Morton, M J Reynolds, A B F Godsal, J M King, J N Croom, M J Burton.

Devon v Dorset (squad): C J Haggett (Bridgwater), J D Horler (Exmouth), B A Beaumont (Cornwood/Bristol), A J Small (Sandford), E H Hamilton (Plympton), M P Skeemer (Cornwood), S O Read (Exeter), D J Goodey (Bashley/Rydal), E W O Middleton (Taunton Deane), K B Szymanski (Swansea), J H G Degg (Plymouth).

Dorset: F S Organ, S J Young, L A Webb, A J Eckland, H E Broderick, E J Ellis, D Scott, S R Woodruff, R N W Pack, B I W Ladd-Gibbon, B J Currie, J J Gordon.