Adams follows well-trodden path from Abbotskerswell to Bovey Tracey for Premier cricket

Elliott Adams (inset) who will be playing for Bovey Tracey this season

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

ABBOTSKERSWELL have lost opening bowler Elliott Adams to Bovey Tracey for the Tolchards Devon League season ahead.

Adams, a student at Loughborough University in Leicestershire, has taken more than a hundred league wickets for Abbotskerswell in third, second and first-team cricket since debuting in 2014.Elliott Adams

Useful chip-ins with the bat include six league half-centuries and a career-best 69 against Tavistock in 2018.

Adams broke into the first team midway through the 2015 season as a 14-year-old, taking the new ball against Ivybridge, and has hardly missed a game since. He started out in the mini-colts at Kingskerswell as a seven year old before joining Abbots.

Abbots did not want to lose Adams, but the lure of Premier Division cricket with Bovey Tracey proved irresistible. Nothing skipper Nick Watkin could offer was sufficient to stop his opening bowler switching clubs.

“We tried everything we could but unfortunately had to bid Elliot farewell,” said Watkin.

“Of course we are disappointed to see him go, but the lure of Premier cricket and playing on an outstanding surface such as Bovey Tracey was too much.

“All at the club wish him well and he knows he is welcome back at Abbots anytime he wants.”

Abbots will be losing Adams’ runs and wickets. Watkin is more concerned about the latter than the former.

On the move ... Toby Codd“Bowling wise I feel we have adequate cover, but will need someone in to replace Elliott’s 300 runs a season,” said Watkin. “That may come from those already at the club or a new recruit.”

Lewis Hammett, the Bovey Tracey captain, said now was the “right time” for Adams to advance his cricket career.

Hammett added: “Elliott has a decent record in the A Division and it's an opportunity to play at a higher level and really kick-on. 

“He bowls with great control for such a young lad, has good wrist position when he bowls and it is always helpful being 6ft-plus. 

“Our is a competitive squad and Elliott can only improve playing and training with the likes of Hugo Whitlock and Ryan Bougourd with their skills and experience.”

Meanwhile, Hammett has said a fond farewell to predecessor Toby Codd, who stood down as skipper at the end of last season after landing a job in Bristol.

Codd has joined West of England Premier League side Bishopston and any appearances for Bovey from now on will be occasional.

Codd, like Whitlock, is a current Devon player and Hammett said he was sad to see him go.

Said Hammett: “Toby’s life will be up there for the time being and we wish him luck. 

“He was a brilliant captain and bowler who, I believe, was just shy of 150 wickets for Bovey Tracey. 

“Toby was massive in the title-winning side of 2017 when he took 40-plus wickets, including all the big names

“Everyone loves him at the club and we look forward to welcoming him back in the future.”

Codd said it was a reluctant decision to leave Bovey, but a sensible one.

“I did not want to be travelling back from Bristol every week,” said Codd.

“I am leaving on good terms and am sure I will be back one day.”

Codd added he remains available for Devon, if selected.