CEO Report – for Season 2022 

What we shall certainly remember from the 2022 season is that we were promoted from Division 2 to Division 1 of the NCCA County Championship.  One of the hottest summers on record meant we played all of our matches with little or no weather disruption.  There was just one defeat in the Championship - by Wales - and then only by five runs.  Three convincing wins against Cornwall, Shropshire and Wiltshire ensured our promotion. Overall, the X1 performed well with important contributions right throughout the team.  

Berkshire, Cheshire, Herefordshire and Oxfordshire will be our opponents next year, so we can expect some very competitive cricket.  Calum Haggett, quite rightly, won the award for the Player of the Season. He has been an excellent choice as our professional.  He has not only played very well but has shown leadership qualities and has inspired others to perform to the best of their ability.

A new award for the Most Improved Player, a top-quality bat, was provided by M5 Sports Management Group.  The winner, James Horler, played several fine innings in the Championship.

The standard of our performances in 50-over white ball cricket was inconsistent.  Good wins over Bedfordshire & Cornwall meant we progressed by a better run rate to the quarter finals against Dorset. However, we performed disappointingly, and lost by seven wickets.  Our T/20 season was even less impressive, winning just one match - against Cornwall. Our poor-quality performances in this form of cricket over time may partly be to do with the fact that little T/20 cricket is played in Devon and is not of a very high standard. 

It was encouraging for the future to get the Lions/Development XI re-established and some good one-day matches were played against Warwickshire, Somerset & Wiltshire , together with a two-day fixture against Cornwall which meant that we played five days’ competitive cricket, complying with the ECB requirement as part of the County Partnership Agreement.

The attractive Sport Hall at Bicton College proved to be an excellent venue for winter nets  with several of our young players benefiting from very good practice opportunities.  The sessions were very well organised by Dave Tall, Tim Western and Mike Cherry, a much-valued new member of the general committee. The employment of two former first-class players - Keith Parsons and Julian Wyatt- -provided excellent opportunities for players to receive high standard coaching and valuable learning experiences.

The Lions were funded by equal generous contributions from the County, Michael Cunliffe, the M5 Sports Management Group and The David Shepherd Cricket Trust. A huge thank you is extended to these organisations. Other generous sponsorship again came from Tolchards who have provided generous financial support to the County now for over ten years . 

The committee strongly believes that investment in our emerging players is very important if we are to improve the standard of Devon cricket to be able to compete at top level in NCCA competition, it is hoped that the development of  the Bicton College project and the extension of the Lions playing programme will pay longer term dividends and are most grateful to Director of Cricket, Dave Tall, Lions Director, Tim Western and his assistant, Mike Cherry, for all of their efforts. 

The Director of Finance, Roger Wensley, proposed the change of our kit supplier to Devon County Sports during the 2022 season.  The quality of the clothing has improved for both the county and the Lions squads.

Another highlight of the season was the Showcase match at Bovey Tracey Cricket Club in early August.  A crowd of over seven hundred watched the match with Somerset which the first-class county won by six wicket Somerset CCC were excellent ambassadors for the professional game and the match was played in very good spirit.  I was very proud of my home club, whose overall planning and organisational arrangements for the match were superb. It was certainly appreciated not only by the teams but also by those who attended the fixture.

Once again, a quality brochure was produced in 2022, and was well received by members and supporters of Devon CCC.  Much appreciation is extended to David Thorneley, Terry Mohan and Colin Wright who did so much to produce the booklet.  Conrad Sutcliffe, together with Peter Langford, are thanked for providing a round-up of 2021 matches, with various related statistics.  The brochure would not exist without the sponsorship of numerous advertisers.  Gratitude is extended to those businesses and individuals who fund the project, most of whom do so annually.

We are very thankful to our dedicated Membership Secretary, Rachel Tozer, who is our longest serving scorer.  Also thanked is Peter Langford who shares the scoring and acts as the county statistician.  This year one match was scored by Lynne Whitfield of Cornwood CC whom we are delighted to announce has also joined the general committee .  

Jan & Mike Skinner continue to persuade spectators to purchase score card at home matches, and their support and commitment to Devon CCC are greatly appreciated. . As ever, we are grateful to the Devon clubs by the dedicated manner in which they host our matches. We are always well received and looked after.

Changes to the committee were made at the 2022 Annual General Meeting to meet the requirements of the ECB County Partnership Agreement.  Each committee member was required to have a dedicated role.  After this, two members, David Thorneley and Rhys Callicott, stepped aside, although they remain strong supporters of the county, with Mike Cherry, Lynne Whitfield and Shahid Khan, our existing medical officer, joining the committee.

When cricket finishes in September, there is always plenty to do in response to demands from ECB and NCCA, and in preparation for next season.  I am very grateful for the help I receive from all of the committee, in particular, Chairman, Neil Gamble and Finance Director, Roger Wensley.  Both care, and are deeply involved in the County Club and I feel we are very fortunate to have them. 

I look forward to seeing you all in Season 2023.

Nigel Mountford

CEO - Devon County Cricket Club.