Overseas XI challenge match revived and back on fixture list for July 14

AN old favourite on the fixture calendar returns next month when a Representative XI drawn from Tolchards Devon League clubs will take on an Overseas XI in a challenge match at Bovey Tracey.

The annual fixture between the two sides was a regular engagement until around ten years ago when organisational difficulties brought it to an end.

Cornwood, Torquay and Bovey Tracey all ran Overseas XI matches against sides put together formally by the league or on managed on an ad-hoc basis the host club.

The match is being revived on Sunday, July 14 at Bovey Tracey and will be played as 50-over game starting at noon.

Ashburton stalwart Martin Causey is the man behind the revival and has been hard at work getting squads organised.

Players already committed to turning out for the Representative XI include Peter Bradley (Bovey Tracey), George Allen (Torquay), Jamie Khan (Exeter), Jono Colegate (Dartington & Totnes), Sam Wakeham (Ipplepen), Brendon Parr (Cullompton) and Abbotskerswell’s James Westlake.

The Overseas XI should include Zimbabwean international Brian Chari, who is Bovey Tracey’s overseas player, Pakistan under-12 batter Jamal Anwar (Cullompton) and Dartington & Totnes big-hitter Phil Snyman, who played youth cricket for North-West U19s.

Other overseas players pencilled on to the team sheet are Justin Wubbeling (Plympton), Jimmy Williams (Abbotskerswell). Arun Chelvan (Ashburton), Elliot Moses (Torquay), Matt Crampton (Barton) and Ippelpen’s Aidan Phillips.

The match is due to take place on World Cup final day. A big screen will be set up to keep players and spectators in touch with the action at Lord’s.