A Division Preview: Acton (pictured) looking to land a blow on Torquay | Seasiders waiting on Baker's availability

Bradninch captain Eliot Acton, who is looking to land a blow on Torquay

SRI Lankan all-rounder Chathura Peris is set to make his A Division debut for Abbotskerswell in the away game at Tavistock, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Peris, who plays First Class cricket in Sri Lanka for Ragama, has three seasons of league cricket, nearly 1,700 runs and 100 wickets to his name in three previous tours of the UK.

Although Peris was in this country last Saturday, while Abbots were losing to Torquay he was in self-isolation. 

“Chathura has trained this week and is ready to go,” said Abbots captain Nick Watkin.

Gilmour and Peris come in for Jay Hussain and Aron Owen in the Abbots side.

Watkin is hoping for a bounce-back win, but accepts it is going to be tough at the Ring.

“I was really impressed with Tavistock when we last played them in the league in 2019 and they started well last week by winning at Barton,” said Watkin. 

“They seem a well-balanced side and have good depth with both bat and ball. We will need to be at our very best to get the win.”

Bradninch against Torquay has the look of a top-of-the-table clash even in week two of the season.

Both sides won emphatically first time out – the Ninch dispatched Budleigh Salterton – and are on most skippers’ short lists as promotion material.

Mike Pugh, the Torquay coach, is wary of promotion talk right now.

“It is too early in the season for that,” said Pugh. “All games are significant so looking for a good performance.”

Eliot Acton, the Bradninch skipper, was more forthcoming.

“It is early days indeed but it would be nice to land an early blow to one of the more fancied teams,” said Acton.

“We will have to play well to do so, but I will be backing us to get a win if we play to our ability and get a full game in. 

“More concerning is the weather forecast and having a rain-affected game, which can make it a complete lottery.”

Both sides hope to be unchanged, although Torquay are waiting on confirmation from Somerset that Academy scholar Sonny Baker will be released to play.

The other top-of-the-table clash between first-day winners is at Plympton, where North Devon provide the opposition.

North Devon have registered 18 year old Bajan Jordan Knight as their overseas player in time for the game. He is a student at Wellington School in Somerset. He is not expected to play this weekend as North Devon have already named an unchanged side.

North Devon piled up the runs in the sun to beat Seaton first time out. Skipper Tom Popham doubts there will be the same scenario at Plympton.

"Plympton away is always a difficult game and, as all teams have in this division, there are some quality players in their side who we have a deal with and control,” said Popham.

“Could be some rain about so we have to be ready for a disrupted game and something very different to last week.”

Cullompton, who are looking to move on from their defeat by Plympton, are away to Seaton.

Pakistani batsman Jamal Anwar, who was isolating last Saturday, has been added to the squad.

Seaton skipper Ben Morgan expects to field an unchanged side.

Elsewhere in the A Division opening day winners Barton are away to Budleigh Salterton.

Barton are looking to bounce back from a 10-run defeat by Tavistock in a low-scoring affair.

Adam Parker, the Barton captain, is determinedly looking forward and not back.

“Last week’s batting is last week,” said Parker. “We move on with the batters knowing what needs to be done to put it right.”

Barton anticipate being unchanged, which Parker feels is a positive move. 

“No changes, which gives us a bit of continuity and is something I highlighted was important before the season started,” said Parker.

“Looking forward to getting our first win in for the season.”

Budleigh welcome back batter Matt Trottman and bowling all-rounder Jack England, which makes them a little stronger in both areas.

Joel Murphy, the team’s senior player, said a tight game is on the cards.

“We had two close games with Barton the last time we played the and I imagine this one will be much the same,” said Murphy.

On the defeat at Bradninch last time out, Murphy added: “We played quite well but not well enough to win.”