Devon name 14 for Unicorns Cup opener against Cornwall

DEVON’S season starts for real on Sunday when they play Cornwall at Instow in the group opener of the Unicorns Trophy.

Devon couldn’t be much better prepared for the game as they have managed five full days of uninterrupted cricket by way of preparation.

Sunday’s one-wicket defeat by University of Exeter at the County Ground was technically a Lions Development XI fixture, but five of the side are in Devon’s squad for the Cornwall match.

Not everyone has had game time – Zak Bess has yet to bowl a ball in anger – but director of cricket Keith Donohue is happy with way things have gone.

“This competition comes round early so to get five games in before we start has been great preparation” said Donohue.

“We have looked at players who were always likely to play and given them some game time.

“Players pushing for a place have been given a chance to showcase themselves – and lads who are likely to come into contention as the season goes on have been watched and assessed.

“As for Zak Bess not playing, that isn’t an issue. He works at Somerset and has had some bowling time in the outdoor nets there.

“Zak was our most consistent bowler in all cricket last year and for that reason e plays.”

The 14-man squad is designed to cover a couple of availability issues which may crop up during the week.

Devon have a number of dual-registered players –Ben Green Tom Lammonby and Jack Popham in particular – who may be hauled out by their other counties.

Lammonby along with Dan Wolf and Josh King are in the one-day squad for the first time.

Lammonby bats and bowls left-arm over; Wolf bats and King is a first-change seamer.

England U19 star Green is in the squad, which gives Devon a lift with bat and ball.

Devon have won the competition five times since 1992, most recently in 2014 when they beat Oxfordshire in the final.

Cornwall had never won the competition until last season, when they trounced Northumberland to win it.

“It is going to be an unusual experience for us being the underdogs against Cornwall,” said Donohue.

Devon: R J Woodman (Taunton Deane), L J Lewis (Sidmouth), M H Curtis (North Devon), M W Thompson (St Fagins), M C Golding (Bovey Tracey), D J Wolf (Paignton), B G F Green (Exeter), A P W Allen (Exmouth), T A Lammonby (Exeter), T S Anning (Sidmouth), Z G G Bess (Sidmouth), J R Popham, J V King (North Devon), C L Miles (Sidmouth).

Cornwall  (from) : M L Robins (Capt), (Grampound Road), M H Rowe (Henley-on-Thames), T C Rowe (Kimberley Institute, Notts),  G M Smith  (Penzance), B L Wadlan  (St Just), C B F Purchase (Penzance),  D F Davis (Falmouth), P S Smith (Werrington), S A Harvey (wk)  (Truro), K J Snell (Truro), J S Thomas (Falmouth). N Ivamy (Truro).