CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING
DEVON continue preparations for their 50-over schedule in the NV Play-sponsored National Counties Trophy with a white-ball warm-up game against Cornwall.
Sunday’s cross-border tussle at Plympton (11am) comes hard on the heels of a 19-run defeat in high-scoring game against the University of Exeter at Topsham.
Despite half-century contributions from opener Dan Pyle, skipper James Horler, Seb Linnitt and the rapid Harry Passenger, Devon ran out of time on 362 for seven.
Tim Western, Devon’s performance director in charge of team affairs, said there was a lot to be gained from hard games against quality opposition during the warm-up phase, even if it was a little painful at times for some of the bowlers.
Valuable
“It was an extremely valuable early season outing against a strong university side who have been training consistently throughout the winter and fielded several players with First-Class experience,” said Western.
“To get within 19 runs of chasing down a target in excess of 380 underlines how well we applied ourselves with the bat.
“We set the tone positively at the top of the order and saw meaningful contributions right through the line-up.
“We know we have a powerful batting group, but that only counts when players commit to their roles and make the decisions the team needs at each stage of the innings. We saw plenty of that on Sunday.”
Western said the learning gains were mainly in the field, in particular about how to react to changing game situations.
“Both sets of bowlers felt the effects of conceding that volume of runs, but from our perspective this was exactly the type of test we wanted at this point in our preparation,” said Western.
“The key learnings for our attack and for the captain will be how we respond under pressure, how quickly we adapt plans, and how we regain control in challenging phases.
Qualities
“Overall, we’re really pleased with the honesty, ambition and togetherness within this group. Those qualities will serve us well as we build towards the start of competitive cricket.”
Devon’s first group game in the Trophy is against Herefordshire at Bovey Tracey CC on Sunday, April 26.
The game against Cornwall is a second chance for Western, captain. app Horler and the coaching team to weigh-up options for the Herefordshire match.
In come keeper-batter Matt Thompson, who has reversed his previous decision to retire from National Counties cricket, seamer Matt Jeacock and spin-bowling all-rounder Sam Read, who has recently returned to the UK from a season in Australia.
Devon v Cornwall: B H Privett (Midsomer Norton), M G Whalley (Callington), J D Horler (Exmouth), S J Linnitt (Exeter), M W Thompson (Callington), C F Harvey (Midsomer Norton), S O Read (Exeter), H J Passenger (Torquay & Kingskerswell), C D Penberthy (Bridestowe & Belstone), M R Jeacock (Sandford), K B Szymanski (unattached). 12th N Musikanth (Exmouth).
Umpires: K Jacobs & S P Day.
