Scorecard – game one | Scorecard – game two

BEN Privett just missed out on a maiden Twenty20 century in the first of two wins over Dorset that took Devon to the top of their Dojo T20 Cup qualifying table.

Privett lashed 98 off 57 balls towards an 18-run win in part one of a double-header at Wimborne.

That win, and a 21-run verdict over the same opposition in game two, pushed Devon ahead of Wiltshire at the top. 

Privett made 98 off 57 balls – 11 fours, one six ­– in a Devon total of 204 for four. Stands of 63 with Seb Linnitt (24) and 62 with James Matravers (44 off 19) formed the bulk of the total.

Dorset made every effort to go for the runs with Ben Rogers (46), Dylan Church (45) and Will Chesterman (34) getting on with.

Craig Penberthy (3-42) and Privett (2-20) had the happy knack of slowing things down before Dorset got too close.

Callum Harvey, still standing in for injured captain Lawrence Walker, had a succinct opinion of the match.

“Ben Privett was superb with bat and ball,” said Harvey.

Game two was a lower-scoring affair that went Devon’s way by 21 runs. Devon’s total of 161 for eight included contributions from Harry Passenger (28), Linnitt (38), Rhys Davies (24) and Sam Read (22).

Dorset struggled to put partnerships together – Passenger (2-22), Read (3-22), Privett (1-19) and Harvey (1-24) ensured that – and only got as far 140 for nine thanks to an unbeaten 81 from Church.

Said Harvey: “We knew taking early wickets was crucial and that's what we did.

“It was really satisfying to get two wins in two different ways. 

“Having to adapt to a changing surface, and recognising what score would be defendable, was a positive.”

Tim Western, Devon CCC’s performance director, said Privett inspired the team to dominant performances ion both games.

“It was great to see our players put in two excellent and arguably vanquishing performances at Wimborne,” said Western.

“Ben Privett had an outstanding day with both bat and ball. He was backed up by the rest of the team, who outplayed Dorset in all three departments.”

Having been denied overnight stay before the game by ECB regulations, Devon’s players were mostly on the way to Wimborne by seven in the morning.

Despite a long day in the field, and on the road, Western said the team’s out cricket did not suffer.

“Our execution of skills, and in particular our ground fielding, were another notch up,” said Western.

There were words of praise, too, for captain Callum Harvey for his caretaker role.

“Under Callum Harvey’s, leadership this group is growing quickly into a high-performing unit,” said Western.

Devon have no game this Sunday in the Dojo Cup as it’s their bye round in a five-team qualifying group.

“The squad are looking forward to a weekend off from National Counties cricket, but looking to continue this momentum in the two games at Blundell’s School against Herefordshire later in the month,” said Western.