Devon trail by 260 going into third and final day against Wales | Kolk and Herring set new Wales record partnership for fifth wicket

Devon skipper Matt Thompson (left) waits in vain for a snick as Wales batsman Oscar Kolk advances towards a hundred

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

DEVON were given a lesson in how to occupy the crease for over after over as Wales ran-up a 260-run lead to take into the third and final day at Sandford.

Three-day cricket at National Counties level is a different beast to the crash-bang-wallop of 50 overs on a Saturday afternoon. Devon’s young batters may know that, but haven’t worked out how to do it on a regular basis yet.

Devon, 88 for three overnight in their first innings, were bowled out for 205 midway late in the 65th of their 90 overs. That was 25 overs valuable batting time lost. 

Ed Middleton - the only Devon bowler to take more than one wicket during two tough sessions in the fieldMatt Golding, not out overnight, went on to make a top score of 59 for Devon in a fraction more than two hours in the middle.

James Horler (39) and Elliot Hamilton (38) had been and gone by the end of day one first day and they were next best in the batting stats. Only Sam Read (24) gave Golding much in the way of support.

Ball ruled bat for most of the Devon innings with Wales spinners Keiran Bull (4-63) and Sam Pearce (5-68) doing the damage. Pearce, a speedy leg-spinner, proved particularly difficult to cope with.

Devon had early encouragement when they bowled as a wicket each for Read and Kazi Szymanski reduced Wales to eight for two. A further wicket each for Calum Haggett and Ed Middleton had the wobbling on 60 for four. That was as good as it got.

Oscar Kolk and Cameron Herring defied everything Devon could throw at them to compile a record fifth-wicket stand of 173 that lasted three hours and 18 minutes. Kolk made 134 in a fraction over four hours and Herring was 68 not out by close of play.

Dropped catches did not help, although spilling Kolk on 94 was a bit too late in the day to make much of a difference.

Dave Tall, Devon’s team manager, said his players could learn from Kolk and Herring.

“When opposition bowlers start asking questions of our batters we need to have more answers,” said Tall.

“Their spinners bowled well and we certainly did not have the answers. Only individuals really know how they got out and some will just be instances of bad luck.

“But when our players reflect on their performance some might consider how soft their dismissals were.

“It was a wicket where batsmen had to apply themselves, which requires high levels of concentrations. To be bowled out as early as we were is not really acceptable.”

Wales 229 (C R Brown 50, C L Herring 54, O M D Kolk 32; K B Szymanski 5-26, E W O Middleton 2-34) & 236-5 (O M D Kolk 134, C L Herring 68; E W O Middleton 2-67), Devon 205 (M C Golding 59, J A Horler 39, E H Hamilton 38, S O Read 24; K A Bull 4-63, S J Pearce 5-68). Bonus points: Devon 5, Wales 5.