Depth in batting and bowling Devon's key to winning semi-final says Donohue

Zak Bess, whose rapid 77 off 45 balls helped Devon recover from a shaky start to beat Berkshire in the last round

DEVON team chief Keith Donohue believes strength in depth is his side’s biggest asset going into the Unicorns KO Trophy semi-final against Suffolk at Sidmouth today (noon).

Victory over Wiltshire and holders Berkshire have put Devon one more win from the final of a competition they have won five times since former skipper Nick Folland led them to an historic win over Staffordshire at Lord’s in 1992.

The last final Devon won was in 2014 at Wormsley on the Getty family’s private ground in Buckinghamshire, when Oxfordshire were defeated by seven runs.

To get to Wormsley again Devon first have to defeat Suffolk. Having put out holders Berkshire in the last round it is clear Devon have the credentials to go all the way.

Donohue said Devon overcame setbacks against Berkshire and the manner of the victory was one of the reasons why he has faith in his side to go all the way.

“Games ebb and flow and how you cope with that is where games are won and lost,” said Donohue.

“There were times against Berkshire when things didn’t go our way, such as losing two batsmen in our first over, yet we overcame that to make 270-odd.

“What we have shown for a while now is strength in depth in batting and bowling. Most times, when we need a wicket or some runs, someone puts their hand up.

“We know very little about Suffolk, other than they have a couple of ex-England under-19 players, much like ourselves.

“If we keep playing the way we have been, it will take a good team playing very well to overcome us.”

All-rounder Adam Ball – ex-of Kent – and former Essex and Mid-Western Rhinos batsman Jaik Mickleburgh are the two England under-19 graduates in the Suffolk ranks.