CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING FROM THE FORTFIELD
Play cricket scorecard – day two
DEVON will take a 26-run lead into the third and final day of their title-decider against Oxfordshire after another soggy set of sessions at Sidmouth.
There were almost as many eyes scanning weather apps on mobile phones from start to finish as eyes on the action out in the middle of the Fortfield.
Two stoppages added a combined total of two hours and 45 mintes to the five hours lost to the elements on day one. Getting an outright result from this game, which both sides need to win the Western Division title, is going to be difficult in the time left.
Oxfordshire, 107 for six overnight, were bowled out after a struggle for 172. Freddie Smith held up Devon with a half-century while putting on 63 for the seventh wicket with Ahmed Khan.
Off-spinner Sam Read – three wickets overnight – broke the stand when he had Smith caught in the covers and ran through the tail to finish with six for 43. It was Read’s second successive six-wicket haul against Oxfordshire following his career-best six for 27 at Banbury last season.
Read has taken 19 wickets in three-day cricket this season at an average below 19 runs each.
"Building on the hard work in the last session of day one, we did well to bowl Oxfordshire out in 58 overs," said Tim Western, the county club's performance director.
"We took a little while to get going at the start of day two, but then took four wickets for just 16 runs. Credit to Sam Read picking up six Oxfordshire wickets.
Devon were 198 for nine at close of play with Matt Thompson lbw for a top score of 47 to Ben Lucking playing the reverse sweep once too often.
Skipper James Horler made a patient 28 – he was third out, caught at long-leg – and there was a useful stand of 49 for the seventh wicket between Seb Linnitt and Ben Privett (29).
Oxfordshire off-spinner and captain George Tait took five wickets which restricted Devon’s progress, but Linnitt (34no) and Ben Privett ensured they gained a first-innings lead. The stand also earned a batting bonus point, which could prove important in the final totting up.
"The captain (Horler) and Matt put on a very useful partnership for the second wicket as did Seb Linnitt and Ben Privett for the sixth," said Western. Seb batted with great maturity and hopefully will have the opportunity to extend our lead into day three.
“In some instances, we didn't take the right option when bating and lost a few more wickets than we would have liked.
“On reflection, despite the rain delays, we have achieved our goal of getting past Oxfordshire's total on a deteriorating pitch.
“Tuesday will be an exciting day, and the players are focused on creating a positive result.”
