DEVON’S cricketers have been warned they must find an extra 10 per cent– or more – if they want to reach the semi-finals of the NCA Trophy.

Devon take on Cheshire at Oxton CC near Liverpool tomorrow in the last eight of the 50-over competition, which they last won in 2014 when they defeated Oxfordshire in the final.

Although Devon lost to Cornwall by seven run at Cornwood CC last Sunday in their final qualifying pool game, net-run rate was enough to see them into the quarter-finals as runners-up behind Berkshire.

Dave Tall, the Devon team boss, was unimpressed by parts of the performance against Cornwall – and was not afraid to say so after the match. And seven days later nothing has changed!

“If we play like that again we won’t be going through,” said Tall, whose charges fell short chasing 271 to win against Cornwall.

“We batted well – there was not much wrong there – and we did not field too badly.

“But, apart from our spinners, we did not bowl at all well.

“We need to be more disciplined in everything we do to if we are going to win up there, which means when we bowl we have to have a plan.

“What we actually need is Plan A, Plan B and Plan C – so if the penny drops that things are not working out the sooner we change plans the better.”

Devon might just have beaten Cornwall last time out had opener Elliot Hamilton batted on for just a little bit longer. He was out for 82.

“I felt for Elliot as he really should have got the hundred he deserved, but the ball he got would have got most batsmen out,” said Tall.

“It stopped on him, he tried to work it away but got a leading edge and was caught.”

Devon have made just one change to their 12-man travelling party, which now includes leg-spinner Will Christophers, who was ruled out against Cornwall due to injury. He replaces Matt Skeemer, who cannot travel.

As Christophers has been successful in an opening-bowler role for Devon in white-ball cricket this season, it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which he does not play. Left-arm spinner Max Shepherd, 12th man against Cornwall, also comes into contention.

Said Tall: “The decision will be whether to play and extra batter or an extra spinner – and that will wait until we get there and see the pitch.”

Tomorrow’s winners will be at home to either Berkshire or Dorset in the semi-finals

Cheshire (squad) H E Dearden, S J Perry, R T Sehmi, H J Dobson, A M Money, K Carroll, L F Young, N D Anderson, S Green, A Jackson, A J Selby, A Dufty.

Devon (squad): J A Stephens, M W Thompson, J D Horler, C M Sharland, E H Hamilton, B H Privett, S O Read, C H Haggett, K B Szymanski, W B Christophers, L S Walker, M B Shepherd.

Umpires: S Bethwick, G Cross.