BEN Beaumont and Calum Haggett both completed centuries as Devon transformed themselves from outsiders to contenders on day two of the National Counties showdown with Cheshire at Sidmouth.
Both counties need a win in the battle to avoid relegation from Western Division One – Devon more than Cheshire.
Cheshire lead by 76 runs overnight having totted-up 187 for four second time around. Devon’s best chance to win is by bowling out Cheshire for a lead below 200. Anything more could be a challenge in the time left on a turning pitch.
Harry Dearden, the Cheshire captain, has to weigh-up the pros and cons of batting as long as possible to make defeat unikely, or picking a declaration point that leaves enough time to bowl Devon out a second time.
It’s been fantastic cricket for the first two days. Weather permitting, day three should be a belter!
Cheshire, all out for 287 on day one, led by 177 at close of play having held Devon to 120 for four in 37 overs.
Devon needed something special to stay in the game … and got it thanks to Beaumont and Haggett putting on 261 for the fifth wicket. Only Bob Dawson and David Lye with a partnership of 286 (Herefordshire @ Sidmouth in 2009) have put on more for the fifth wicket.
Haggett and Beaumont batted through the entire pre-lunch session to move Devon along to 317 for four. Beaumont was already in three figures by then; Haggett had just arrived in the ‘nervous nineties’.
The stand, which started on 112 for four, ended on 373 when Haggett was dismissed by Luke Young for 115.
Beaumont departed 10 runs later when he was bowled trying to sweep Dan Wilson, who proceeded to mop-up the Devon tail on the way to figures of five for 92.
Beaumont was only added to the team on Friday night after Ben Privett dropped-out with a back injury. He was being rested after a run of modest scores in league and National Counties cricket.
Beaumont said he went out with one aim in mind – and it wasn’t to score his maiden three-day ton.
“I just wanted to spend time out in the middle, ‘bat long’ with Cal and see where we ended-up,” said Beaumont.
“Cal has been there and done it all before (with Kent and Somerset) and was the ideal person to have at the other end to help me.
“Scoring a hundred was not something I really thought about. Just batting and batting.”
Beaumont spent the last UK winter in Australia playing grade cricket for Barooga in New South Wales. He said his cricket for Devon definitely benefited from the experience.
“The games we play are 80 overs – longer than the Devon League – and playing in them has taught me when you get to 50 you should try to convert that into more than 60 or 70,” said Beaumont.
Day three gets under way at 11am. Eighty-five overs have to be bowled before the final 17- over session starts after 5.30pm.
