CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING
DEVON Lions are about to enter unknown territory by playing their Cornwall counterparts in a three-day game at Plympton.
The Lions – the county club’s development pod – nurtures young players and late developers into potential candidates for the 20-over, one-day and three-day sides.
In recent seasons it has been incorporated the part of the Devon Cricket pathway, rather than being a separate entity.
Two-day games have been common during the 15-year life span of the Lions, but a three-day fixture is a new departure.
Three-day cricket requires alternative skill sets to the 50-over format applied to Saturday afternoon league games. The Devon management believes rising players can only benefit from experiencing the differences.
“Although two-day cricket is longer than Saturday league cricket, it is slightly artificial and the second innings sometimes becomes a Twenty20,” said Tim Western, Devon CCC’s performance director.
“This is an invaluable opportunity for our emerging players to test the patience, consistency and fitness required to be successful in red-ball cricket in a format that replicates that played in the Cluberly Championship.”
Logistically, there are availability challenges getting a side out for three days. But Devon and Cornwall have agreed a work-around that turns a challenge into an opportunity.
Work commitments and club claims for tomorrow’s Tiflex Devon Cup finals day at nearby Cornwood have impacted availability. Exeter, Heathcoat, Tavistock and Paignton are all involved in the finals.
“Not everyone is available for all three days, so we will have a Sunday team then a rolling eleven on Monday and Tuesday,” said Western.
Plymouth captain Teddy Haffenden will skipper the side in the absence of Harry Southgate, who is on holiday.
Devon under-18 player, Matt Matravers and Paignton’s Ollie Woodcock will share keeping role over the three days.
Devon are using the game to give time in the middle to early order batter Sam Elstone, who was a regular in all three sides until sustaining a shoulder injury in May last year. He has recently resumed playing for club side Sidmouth after 14 months off while recovering from a ruptured bicep that required surgery to correct.
Elstone is poised to return to the three-day scene a week tomorrow as cover for the unavailable Lawrence Walker when Devon play Oxfordshire at Banbury. When Devon played the same opponents at the same venue in 2024, Elstone scored 156.
All-rounder Matt Whalley, previously a white-ball player for Devon, debuted in the three-day side against Herefordshire earlier this week and will play against Cornwall as a batsman.
Cameron Kidd made a positive impact in the T20 side, that has now reached the knockout stage of the Dojo Cup, and gets a chance to show his all-round ability in the longer format.
Seam bowling trio Matt Jeacock, Tom Hodgson and Josh Nott have all featured intermittently in Devon sides in the past without nailing down a permanent place.
Said Western: There is currently a scarcity of fast bowlers in Devon who have what it takes to perform well at National Counties' level.
“All three have represented the county in the past and we are encouraging them to push themselves into contention to play for the 1st XI.”
Among the totally new faces in Devon’s rolling squad are Thorverton’s Luke Vukusic, who is averaging 52 with the bat for his league team, Plymouth’s bowling all-rounder Callum Williams and host cub Plympton’s Sam Ford, who bats and bowls.
The expanded nature of the squad allows Western and the team management the opportunity to look at three potential leg-spinning options” Josh Farley (Bradninch & Kentisbeare), Surya Suresh (Plymouth) and Luke Thomas (Heathcoat and Devon U18s).
Said Western: “It would be great in the near future for the main team to include a match-winning leg-spinner.”
Devon squad: Joe Hopkins (Sandford), Teddy Haffenden, Surya Suresh (both Plymouth). Matt Whalley (Callington), Cameron Kidd (Exmouth), Matt Matravers (Sidmouth), Sam Ford (Plympton), Josh Farley (Bradninch & Kentisbeare), Matt Jeacock (Sandford), Luke Thomas (Heathcoat), Callum Williams (Plymouth), Ollie Woodcock (Paignton), Sam Elstone (Sidmouth), Josh Nott (Exeter), Luke Vukusic (Thorverton), Tom Hodgson (Sidmouth).
Umpires: K D Jacobs & D Scott
