Dom Bess cleared by Somerset to play for Sidmouth against North Devon

Out in the cold! Somerset

SOMERSET and England all-rounder Dom Bess is set to play for Sidmouth against North Devon tomorrow.

Bess has been out in the cold at Somerset this season. With no first team cricket on offer at Taunton, he was sent on loan to Yorkshire for a month.

Bess scored 91 not out and took three wickets for 43 runs for Yorkshire against Essex during this spell in Leeds.

The 21 year old was registered for WEPL action with Clevedon last season, but rejoined Sidmouth during the close season.

Sidmouth have been shuffling their 1st XI on a weekly basis this season due to availability issues.

Zak Bess – an older cousin of Dom’s – returns to lead the side having missed last Saturday’s defeat by Exeter.

With former skipper Luke Bess also available again, batter Rory Thomas over the tonsillitis that ruled him out against Exeter and Tom Simmons back to open te bowling, Sidmouth have to make changes.

Club captain Nick Gingell, batter Elliott Rice, young seamer Jash Patidar and Matt Cooke, who made a ton against Plymouth in week three, are all dropped into the 2nd XI.

Said Gingell: “We can all count ourselves unlucky and have done little wrong

“But also a big focus of ours as a club is to get our second team promoted and this allows us to be extremely strong in all departments. 

“We have a big squad of players that are all capable of first-team cricket.”

Two defeats on the spin before beating Exeter last Saturday shook Sidmouth’s prospects of retaining the Premier title they won last September.

Sidmouth will be favourites to win against lowly North Devon, but Gingell said that is a dangerous attitude to take into the game.

“North Devon are struggling but, as I keep saying, in this division every team has match winners and can beat anyone on their day,” said Gingell.

“We must not be complacent and need to build on what was a fantastic performance last week. 

“We cannot afford to slip up as one more defeat would likely rule us out of any title hopes.”

Leaders Paignton expect to be unchanged for their date with Paignton at Ashburton Road.

Bovey have won four on the trot since the arrival of opener Brian Chari from Zimbabwe and appear to pose the greatest threat so far to Paignton’s 100 per cent record.

“We are expecting maybe our toughest game yet against Bovey,” said Paignton captain George Benton. 

“They have been in good form over the past few weeks, but we still believe we can better ourselves. 

“We are aiming to make it seven from seven and keep the momentum going throughout the year.”

Toby Codd, the Bovey Tracey captain, also expects to be unchanged.

“Hopefully the weather won’t get in the way of what should be a great game against a strong Paignton side,” said Codd.

“It will be a good challenge for us against an unbeaten side. Hopefully we can maintain our winning run.”

Sandford have made changes for their derby clash with second-placed Heathcoat at Creedy Park

Batters Neil Bettis, Adrian Small and Mike Cliff all drop-out.

In come Ryan Glass, Shaun Hawkins and Neil Maud 

“All three have been performing well for the 2nd XI and come in with some good form,” said Sandford captain Richard Foan.

“It is a great opportunity for them to perform and put pressure on the lads who have dropped out.”

Foan is well aware just how powerful Heathcoat can be when all their county players past and present – Lewis, French, Drew, Holman, Pyle, Dart – are present in the side.

“We know Heathcoat have a strong side on paper but we see that as good challenge and opportunity to see what we can do,” said Foan.

“You only play one player at a time with bat and ball so we need to be on top of our game right through the 50 overs. 

“Hopefully the weather improves a bit and we can get on.”

Pete Randerson is back behind the stumps for Heathcoat and will bat up top. Joe Hancock makes way and will bolster the 2ndXI. 

“It's not been ideal to train this week with the weather around but we have made the best of the excellent facilities at HCC to be ready for the weekend,” said skipper Jackson Thompson.

“It is really to good to see various players are in decent form, but we haven’t yet seen the best of them.

“My challenge to the team is to leave nothing in the tank for this week and absolutely nail the basics but also push the limits.”

Elsewhere in the top flight Exmouth are likely to include Aussie amateur Ben Ellis in the side hosting Exeter on the Maer.

Exeter welcome back Tom Richardson for his first batting appearance of the season. He broke bones in his hand during the winter. Somerset’s Nathan Gilchrist is not available.

“It is always a good game at Exmouth and, hopefully, we can add to our unbeaten away streak,” said Exeter skipper Tom Pedel.

Two teams battling at the wrong end of the table - Plymouth and Torquay - meet at Mount Wise.