BEN Privett has kept his place in Devon’s side for the four-day National Counties Championship final against Buckinghamshire, which gets under way on the Birmingham outskirts tomorrow (10.30am).

Injury prevented Privett featuring in any of Devon’s first three games in the four-match Western Division One schedule. 

A fit-again Privett replaced work-tied Cornwood clubmate Matt Skeemer for the last game against Oxfordshire at Sidmouth – and with Skeemer still unavailable for the four-day appointment at West Bromwich Dartmouth he stays in the side.

The only definite change to the team that secured a place in the final is the inclusion of seamer Matt Jeacock for spinner Harry Passenger, who is on his way to Australia to play cricket

Opening bowler Craig Penberthy has managed to obtain time off work to play, which is a bonus as far as team boss Tim Western is concerned.

“Craig made his debut down at Wagrave against Berkshire and he’s taken some big wickets for us, including Alex Blake against Cornwall.

“Because Craig is new to National Counties cricket, he doesn’t know who these characters are.”

Devon will head to the West Midlands with a much-changed side to the one that suffered a record 550-run defeat by Buckinghamshire in the 2023 final which should mean that they carry no historic baggage.

“Only three players (Privett, current captain James Horler and Elliot Hamilton) from that team who will be in the 12, so most don’t know anything about that final and they won’t go and search the match reports,” said Western.

“Those who played in that final have moved on from that or have learned from that. There is no pressure we are probably going in as underdogs.

““We had a good game against Bucks in the Trophy earlier in the season and beat them at Instow in a tough game We were up against the ropes but we showed our resilience by fighting back well and it ended up being quite convincing in the end.”

Horler one of the survivors hasn’t sent the 2023 final to Room 101 just yet.

“Really looking forward to proving a point that we couldn't two years ago,” said Horler.

Newcomers in Devon’s squad include batter Seb Linnitt, a product of their pathway programme who has just been released from the Somerset Academy, England Deaf international seamer George Greenway and his new-ball partner Penberthy, and all-rounder Callum Harvey.

For Thompson, Devon’s long-serving keeper-batter, the Championship final will be a bonus as he thought the divisional match against Oxfordshire at Sidmouth would be his farewell appearance before he retires after 16 seasons as a regular in the side.

“Matt didn’t play in the final two years ago through holiday commitments,” Western said. “It would be really fitting if this is Matt’s last time that he wears the blue lion to come out with a win after the four days. But we know that there is a lot of hard work needed to do that.”

Thompson admitted to ‘mixed feelings; going into the game. He isn’t getting rheumy-eyed about it, but you get the feeling he would like to be part of the next chapter too.

“Mixed feelings yes, but mainly one of anticipation,” said Thompson. “The group have collectively shown we have depth and capability across all disciplines.

“We are only approaching an exciting cycle whereas a lot of teams get to a final at the end of one.

"Bucks will be a stern test but we're ready to give it all we've got.”

Thompson is the last man standing from the Devon team that last won the outright title back in 2011.

Chris Bradley, who captained the 2011 side, had this message for Devon going into tomorrow’s final.

“Go out there, enjoy it, make some great memories and enjoy,” said Bradley.

“A team has to work so hard just to get to a championship, final

“Not only do you have to play great cricket, everything has to go your way.

“Everyone needs to be on board, because opportunities like this don’t come around too often.”

Buckinghamshire: A N Kervezee, E W H Bragg, E A J Cox, A J Dodds, B G S Dodds, Ryan Friend, C P W Haddow, G D C Harvey, M Rana, D Sabherwal, M C Uttley, T Weymes.

Devon: J D Horler, E H Hamilton, M W Thompson, L S Walker, S J Linnitt, C F Harvey, S O Read, B H Privett, M R Jeacock, G E Greenway, C D Penberthy; 12th: G H Daldorph.