Devon Under 11s T20 'double header' against Cornwall

The Under 11 Boys fifth matchday was a T20 'double header' against Cornwall at the Cornwood Cricket Club. Devon were looking to get off the mark in their T20 matches this season after some recent good performances in 40-over matches.

The Devon matchday team included Basil Crosthwaite-Eyre who was the final member of the 6 debutants in the 2019 squad.

Game 1 

Cornwall lost the toss and Matt Whalley decided to bat first.

The T20 game plan usually includes strike rotation, quick singles, bad balls being hit to the boundary and minimum dots. The Devon innings for the first 10 overs lacked all these and the score literally crawled to 30-2 after 10 overs with 44 dot balls!

The impetus of the innings didn't change until Tobias Alsop (17) came to the crease and with more intent and better shot selection from the middle order, Devon finally posted 86-6. This score looked at least 20 - 30 runs light on a pitch which was good for batting. Could the bowlers pull it back?

The Cornwall opening pair (Findlay Wyatt and Bryn Evans) showed how to play a T20 game as they posted a opening partnership of 75 in 14 overs. Elijah Pyne (4-1-12-1) took the only wicket (Evans) of the innings in the 15th over before the game was finally won in the 18th over. Pyne showed the other bowlers what could be achieved by bowling a good length and line.

It was a disappointing performance, but with a second game to be played Devon had a chance of redemption. 

Game 2

It was agreed at lunch that Cornwall would bat first, so that both teams would then have had a chance to set a target.

Devon's opening pair of Joe Gillett and Alsop get the scoreboard in check for the first 6 overs. With the score on 24 in the 7th over Basil Crosthwaite-Eyre took the first wicket with a excellent catch by Pyne. This wicket did little to slow the run rate as hard hitting Zander Zambuni (57 no) took a liking to the bowling.

Crosthwaite-Eyre (4-113-2) returned to the attack and took a second wicket in the 13th over, James Pugsley and Archie Shawcross struck in the 15th and 19th overs respectively. Cornwall posted 120-5 which looked good but chaseable.

There was no repeat of the first game's batting approach as Devon started costively. After 10 overs Devon were very much in the game at 59-3. The players dismissed being Harry Witcher, Ed Wilson and Whalley. So 62 off 10 overs to win....game very much on!!

7 runs from the 11th over continued the good progress before a double strike at 66 put the skids on things. Cornwall regained the initiative and the Devon innings fizzled out to 98 all out in the last over due to a mix of poor shot selections and crazy run outs. Batting stand outs were Whalley (15) and Jack Martin (22). 

This was much a improved performance, but it was definitely a chance missed.

The post match review highlighted the fact that the squad is making positive progress in 2019 but that we need to do the basics better and for longer periods and also to try and stop making the same poor decisions again and again.    

Our next matchday is the boys first away trip for a T20 'double header' against Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan on Sunday 14th July at Cardiff CC.