Ivybridge unveil Sri Lankan paceman Adeesha in warm-up win over Yelverton

Ton-up kid – Harvey Johnson

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

IVYBRIDGE’S Sri Lankan signing Sahan Adeesha hinted at things to come when he took the new ball against Yelverton.

The 26-year-old paceman, who has played First Class and List A cricket for various clubs at home, only conceded one run off the bat in his first three overs.

His final figures of 10 runs in five overs suggest Adeesha will be a handful for B Division batsmen this season.

Opener Harvey Johnson helped himself to a century then retired on 101 as Ivybridge trotted along to 296 for two in 40 overs.

Skipper Adam Huxtable and Dinesh Raheja both made half-centuries and there were runs in the last 10 overs from Sam Northmore (25) and Harry Solomon (33).

Yelverton gradually slipped further and further behind the asking rate and with 10 overs to go needed 129 to win with four wickets intact.

James Cooper kept going to make 51 and with Hadleigh Scott-Kirk weighing in with 29 not out the visitors reached a respectable 221 for eight. Harry Solomon and skipper Huxtable claimed two wickets each for Ivybridge.

Ivybridge are at home to Thorverton in their B Division opener this Saturday.

Said Huxtable: “Everyone is looking forward to a good season of proper league cricket in B Division of a good standard.

“Across the club we are looking for all three teams to show progress in performances from last year and to be competitive in their divisions.”

Ivybridge don’t have happy memories of the 2018 or 2019 seasons in the league as they just missed being relegated in the former and did go down in the later.

Huxtable feels the current side has seasoned campaigners who will be complemented by younger talent.

“Dinesh Raheja, Harry Solomon and Josh Zimmerman bring important experience and I really look forward to see how Zach Dunn goes behind the stumps,” said Huxtable.

“Zach looked really good in the first pre-season game against Cullompton.”

Yelverton get up and running in the D Division West at home to Barton II.