Seven under-20s in Devon side for NCA opener against Herefordshire | Somerset staffers withdrawn from 12 on ECB orders

Josh King – recalled to Devon

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

DEVON could have six debutants in their side for the three-day opener against Herefordshire starting at Brockhampton tomorrow.

Devon are in the throes of a major rebuilding process this season as regulars who have formed the backbone of the team for the past five years have drifted out of the selection picture.

Devon have bolstered their squad by signing former Kent and Somerset all-rounder Calum Haggett as their match professional and have offered ex-Warwickshire Academy spinner Fahad Sabir the chance to catch the eye of another First Class county as a further strengthening move. Both are among the six new faces in the 12-man travelling party.

Fifty not out! Devon's keeper-batsman and former captain Matt Thompson | @ppaukTall wants to build from within around a nucleus of talented young players who have gone through the county board’s youth system. The other four newcomers are Elliot Hamilton, James Horler, Adam Small and Sam Read.

At the other end of the experience spectrum is keeper-batter Matthew Thompson, a former Devon captain, who will be making his 50th Championship appearance for the county. 

Not only is it a new-look squad it is also a youthful-looking one as well. Seven of the 12 are aged 20 or below.

Dave Tall, the director of cricket for the county club, had hoped to included dual-registered Somerset pair Ben Green and Ned Leonard in the 12 to add some experience, but the ECB killed off that idea.

“The ECB have told First Class counties none of their contracted players can play for National Counties until mid-August,” said Tall.

“Because of the rise in Covid infections and having to pick a new England squad after they went down with it, and having to supply players to the new Hundred competition starting soon, counties have been told they cannot release anyone for anything.”

Sandford batsman Adam Small fills one of the spots and his Creedy Park team-mate Josh King will take Leonard’s bowling berth.

Devon may be a little short on experience going into the game, but they certainly aren’t short of bowling options. In addition to three seamers the 12 contains four spinners, who cover every option.

“We have a left-armer, a leg-spinner and two off-break bowlers, which covers just about all the bases,” said Tall.

This is the first season in which promotion and relegation between two divisions is in place in National Counties cricket. Devon have been placed in Western Division Two along with Wales, Cornwall, Herefordshire and Shropshire. Only one team can gain promotion to Division One.

Tall is realistic about Devon’s chances. He said: “It is early days for this group of players and just to get some wins under our belts in this format would be an achievement.

"If we are good enough to go up we will: if we aren't we won't."

Herefordshire will give Championship debuts to Ben Chapman-Lilley, Zain ul Hassan, Henry Cullen and James Rudge against Devon who will make their first visit to Brockhampton in 27 years. 

The last time Devon played in the Parks the match ended in a draw. The game is notable for a 266-run first wicket stand between openers Julian Wyatt and Nick Gaywood, which was a new record then and remains one now.

Devon (from): J A Stephens (Taunton Deane), M W Thompson (Port Talbot), C J Haggett (Bridgwater), E H Hamilton (Plympton), J D Horler (Exmouth), B A Beaumont (Cornwood), S O Read (Exeter), D J Goodey (Pymouth), F Sabir (West Bromwich Dartmouth), A J Small (Sandford), J V King (Sandford), E W O Middleton (Exeter).