Green and Woodman out of Devon's one-day squad for Dorset at Instow

Rob Woodman - missing from the cup side due to work duties

DEVON have lost opening batsman Rob Woodman and all-rounder Ben Green from their squad for the Unicorns Trophy opener against Dorset at Instow tomorrow (11am).

Woodman, who averaged 49 in the competition last season, can’t get time off from his school job in Taunton.

England Under-19 rising star Green is on a full-time contract with Somerset this season, who have declined to release him.

That’s one England Under-19 player ruled-out, but not dual registered off-spinner Dom Bess, who has been cleared to play by Somerset.

Devon anticipated  losing a player or two from their initial squad of 14 and see no reason to add anyone to the remaining 12.

Keith Donohue, Devon’s director of cricket, is happy with the 12 he has and having to decide who to leave out.

“Covering for Rob is straightforward as FinlayTrenouth or Matt Thompson can both open up,” said Donohue.

“Ben is a quality player you love to have, but even without him we still have options.

“The choice on the day will be among the bowlers. Do we go with three seamers and three spinners, or go for one more seamer and two spinners?

“A lot will depend on the conditions when we get there, not just the pitch but also how hard the wind is blowing.”

Finlay Trenouth - set to make his competitive debut for DevonThere isn’t a ground in Devon closer to the sea than Instow, where an offshore breeze can be a factor for bowlers to either harness or endure.

Realistically, Devon have to perm four from five, who are Jamie Stephens, Josh King, Dan Goodey, HugoWhitlock and Bess.

“We will have a look when we get there and see who suits the conditions best,” said Donohue.

Devon will have at least one debutant in the side, in Trenouth and maybe a couple more.

Batsman Trenouth, a Somerset age-group and occasional 2nd XI player last season, has been dual registered for 2017 and has looked accomplished in four warm-up games.

Either Dan Goodey or Hugo Whitlock will get the nod in the seam bowling department in the absence of Green and the injured Zak Bess, who was not considered due to a side strain.

Goodey has had a couple of summers polishing his game in the Devon Lions and has started the season well with nine wickets at 11 each in the warm-up phase.

Whitlock has been on the same journey as Goodey, but his stats at the start of the season are a little more modes – four wickets in the late 20s.

Donohue is clearly looking at the broader picture, saying:  “Hugo had a good season in the league for Bovey Tracey last year, getting some good wickets and posting a respectable set of stats.”

No England- qualified bowler took more Premier Division wickets (28) than Whitlock, although Bovey clubmate Toby Codd had the same number.

Devon squad v Dorset: J J Bess, L J Lewis (both Sidmouth), R J Woodman (Taunton), M W Thompson (St Fagans), M C Golding (Bovey Tracey), F R Trenouth (Millfield), B G F Green, A W B Barrow (both Exeter), J F S Dart (Heathcoat), D M Bess (Exeter), D J Goodey (Plymouth), H M Whitlock (Bovey Tracey), J A Stephens (Falmouth), J V King (North Devon).

Dorset: T P Arnold, E Ellis, M T C Waller, M J Porter, J Niak, L A Webb, S R J Thomson, C L Park, M A Wolstenholme, B J Currie, T E Barber. 12th: J G Digby.

Umpires: R C Hampshire & G I Callaway.