By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
DEVON will be going for three wins on the trot when they start a three-day game against Berkshire at Blundell’s School tomorrow (11am).
Last season’s Cluberly Championship Western Division One champions have made a dream start to the current campaign with back-to-back wins over Herefordshire at Oxfordshire. One dropped batting point is the only blot in the scorebook so far on the way back to top spot.
Devon’s aim is to retain the divisional crown they won last year and book a play-off appointment for the third time in four seasons. Buckinghamshire defeated them both times in the previous West-versus-East showdown.
Third-placed Berkshire will arrive at the Tiverton School, where former-England players Dom Bess, Vic Marks and Hugh Morris are old boys, with 24 points to make-up on Devon (47pts). Berkshire (23)have a game in hand, as do Wiltshire (24) who are ahead of them in second place.
As a maximum points win is worth 24 points, Berkshire have a massive incentive to put one over on Devon.
Berkshire have an impressive pedigree in Western Division One since 2016 – six wins in total – and have won five West-East play-offs with one drawn. If Devon can beat Berkshire in red-ball cricket, which hasn’t happened since they did it by four wickets at Exmouth back in 2014, it would be a massive step towards skipper James Horler’s target.
“Our sights are set on topping the table,” said Horler, who isn’t one to mince his words.
“The team are brimming with confidence and we’re looking to take every game in our stride.”
Although confidence may be high, there is always room for improvement. Horler has one area in mind, highlighted by Devon losing their last five wickets on day three against Oxfordshire for just 32 runs.
“We were slightly frustrated as we knew we had the ability to put it out of reach,” said Horler. “In the end, it was more than enough, but for sides like Berkshire it might not have been…”
Clearly Horler has plenty of respect for Berkshire and their recent record, but he said Devon won’t be fearful of them either.
“Berkshire have always been a strong side in every format – and have experience in knowing how to win,” said Horler.
“Having said that the only side to beat Berkshire in the 50-over competition this year is Devon.”
Berkshire will give a competitive debut to batter Will Hamilton, another product of their successful pathway programme.
Hamilton had his first taste of senior county cricket when he played for Berkshire in two T20 friendlies against Hampshire 2nd XI at Wormsley earlier this season and now gets his chance in the three-day competition.
He is one of three changes to the side which beat Oxfordshire in Berkshire’s Championship opener three weeks ago with Charlie Dunnett, who was unavailable for that match, and slow left-armer Nilesh Bhandari both returning.
Rhys Lewis will captain Berkshire as Andy Rishton is on holiday this weekend.
Devon: J D Horler, E H Hamilton, S J Elstone, S J Linnitt, M W Thompson, B H Privett, C F Harvey, M G Whalley, S O Read, J R Matravers, G H Daldorph.
Berkshire: R D Lewis, W Hamilton, E D Woods, C P Dunnett, B J E W Salter, E R Campion, T L Greatwood, A J MacEwen, S F Daniel, L Sharp, N Bhandari.
Umpires: S E Lavis, R Callicott.
[O] ALTHOUGH Devon have used Big Field at Blundell’s School intermittently for one-day over the past 20 years, this is the first Championship game there since 1969.
Devon faced Oxfordshire in two-day game, in which they lost by seven wickets. Bob Staddon and Dave Traylor, who died earlier this summer, both scored half-centuries for Devon in a losing cause.
Devon’s team was Staddon, Alan Sibley, John Tolliday, Jeff Tolchard, Traylor, Peter Eele, Doug Yeabsley, Gerald Trump, Bill Jordan, and Tony Scott.
