Hamilton handed further chance to impress after making century against Clevedon

Elliot Hamilton sweeps for four to reach his ton against Clevedon

TON-up teenager Elliot Hamilton has kept his unsurprisingly place in Devon’s side for tomorrow’s 50-over friendly against University of Exeter at Sidmouth.

Plympton batsman Hamilton, 18, took the Clevedon bowling attack for 126 in Devon’s 13-run win at Instow.

Elliot HamiltonDave Tall, Devon’s director of cricket, is looking for emerging talent pushing for places in the senior squad and Hamilton has put himself at the front of the queue.

“After the way Elliot batted against Clevedon there was no way he could be left out,” said Tall.

“These early season games are all about giving players opportunities and Elliot took his.”

Not far behind Hamilton in the queue are Plympton clubmate Ben Privett – he had runs and wickets in the win over Clevedon – and Clevedon’s promising young batsman Ben Beaumont. Both are in the second squad of the season.

Seven members of Sunday’s squad are aged below 20, which is a conscious decision by Tall to look at the talent pushing for a place in the one and three-day sides later in the season.

“The good thing about the pre-season games we have is they will help the younger players prepare for when we will need them later in the season,” said Tall.

“There are two more games coming up and other players I want to look at in them.”

Plymouth all-rounder Joe Hagan-Burt could feature in future warm-up matches against either Sidmouth of Cornwall having made himself available for selection again after a break from the game.

Archie Farkins, who was in the original 13-man squad to face the University, has withdrawn due to a back strain.

Tomorrow’s game is the last at which spectators won’t be allowed to attend before Covid-19 regulations are lifted on Monday.

Devon: A W R Barrow (Sidmouth), J A Stephens (Taunton Deane), B H Hamilton (Plympton), J H G Degg (Plymouth), B H Privett (Plympton), B A Beaumont  (Cornwood), M C Golding (Bovey Tracey), S O Read (Exeter), A J Small (Sandford), D J Goodey (Plymouth), D R Pyle (Exmouth), E W O Middleton (Exeter).