CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING
Scorecard

FOUR Devon batters hit half-centuries or more in a high-scoring warm-up game against Exeter University at Topsham.

The 50-over match was Devon’s first pre-season game before the serious stuff starts against Herefordshire at Bovey Tracey on April 25 in the NV Play National Counties Trophy.

Although Devon lost the game by 19 runs – chasing a hefty 382 to win proved just a few too many – county captain James Horler largely got what he wanted from the fixture: time in the middle.

“From a pre-season perspective it was the perfect exercise: 50 overs in the field for the bowlers and a solid attempt at a big chase for the batters,” said Horler.

“It was good for us not to dominate. It would have been a pointless exercise had we gone in and rolled them, and knocked it off two down.

“Obviously, we were looking to come out on the right side of the result, but pleased with how we bounced back after a difficult shift in the field.”

The Students whacked their way to 381 for two with Charlie Mumford and Olly Cox both making unbeaten centuries while putting on 259 unbroken for the third-wicket.

Opener Dylan Rawal set the tone with 65 off 55 balls – 48 of that coming in boundaries – before Mumford was joined by Cox on 122 for two.

As the overs ticked down the temp went up, appreciably so in the final 10 overs when Mumford and Cox added 141 runs.

Mumford was first to his century and went on to reach 170 not out with 19 fours and five sixes.

Cox got to his ton by planting Devon seamer Kazi Szymanski back over his head for three successive sixes – that one over cost 28 runs – and he finished unbeaten on 114.

Szymanski was the only Devon bowler to manage a maiden, which hinted at the batter-friendly conditions.

Economy wise, only Charlie Ward (6.30), Callum Harvey (6.80) and Matt Whalley (4.00) kept the run-rate below seven an over.

Said Horler: “Good to see the potential of some returning and newer faces in the 50 overs. Whalley and Ward bowled nicely, on what was a pretty batter friendly wicket.

“Fielding was substandard – best to do that in a pre-season game – but we have to learn from the little mistakes in these games if we want to challenge for silverware.”

Devon’s bowling performance, described by Horler as ‘good all round’ was put into perspective by the punishment handed out on the same pitch by Devon’s batters.

Although opener Ben Privett went cheaply – in and out for seven  – Dan Pyle (77), Horler (63) and Seb Linnitt (52) – got Devon up to 249 for five with 14 overs to go. Harvey (30) chipped in.

Pyle – 12 fours and a six – and Horler put on 91 in little more than 13 overs to get the chase started.

Whalley (36no) and Harry Passenger – 51 not out from 31 balls – put on 90 unbroken before Devon ran out of time on 362 for seven. 

Horler, who had the best view on the ground of Pyle’s knock, said: “It was a really impressive knock under scoreboard pressure from the off.

“Dan showed the brute power we need up at the top.

"And Seb Linnitt showed his class after a fruitful season in Australia.”

[O] Devon’s pre-season preparations continue this Sunday with a 50-over friendly against Cornwall at Plympton (11am).