Wolf to lead Lions on home ground

DEVON are using Sunday’s Lions friendly against Somerset 2nd XI at Paignton to have a look a potential batsmen for the looming Minor Counties campaign.

The Minor Counties season starts on June 5 with a trip to Pontardulais to play Wales.

Devon know there are players who finished last season in the side who won’t be available for the first round of matches, such as Liam Lewis (work) and Dan Wolf (exams).

Some of the potential replacements, among them Exeter duo Ben Green and Dom Bess, are first-claimed by Somerset 2nd XI.

That leaves opportunities for Lions players to stake a claim for a place.Dan Wolf, who will captain the Lions against Somerset on Sunday

“Availability is inevitably an issue this early in the season when the older guys have to work and the younger ones are often involved in GCSE or A-level exams,” said Devon’s director of cricket Keith Donohue.

“It is a congested season these days with Devon Cup and county youth games coming thick and fast, which has made getting a side out quite testing for the Lions management.

“Somerset almost always bring a strong side and we need to be ready for the challenge that brings.

“The side we have put together is a mixture of Lions development players and lads who have been doing well in the Devon League.

“The incentive for those who put their hand up with a performance is putting themselves in the frame for the Wales game.”

Devon’s selection options were a little limited by two clashes of fixtures – the first round of the Euro Shopper Devon Cup and a Devon U17s fixture against Worcestershire at Heathcoat.

Tim Western, the Lions head coach, said he understood players had to make choices in such situations, but that had not caused Devon a problem.

“It says a lot about the depth of talent in the county that we can get a strong side out despite other demands on players,” said Western.

Batters under scrutiny include Reid Mawdsley, the Exeter-based opener who plays for Torquay, Exmouth’s Dan Pyle and Tom Ansell of North Devon.

Dan Pyle - a bit hitterPyle – nationally the leading run getter in ECB U17 cricket last season – was close to being selected last season.

Devon struggled for seam bowling all last season and are looking at a couple of candidates for the three-day games.

Bovey Tracey’s Hugo Whitllock and Heathcoat’s Jamie Drew both get a call-up.

Joe Thompson, the older brother of Devon captain Matt Thompson, has been invited to play having caught the eye with a career best seven for 15 against Brixham on the opening day of the season.

Wolf will captain the side on his home ground, which is bound to be a proud moment for him, He won’t be 18 until June 5.

Devon (from): R A Mawdsley (Torquay), D J Wolf (Paignton), T Ansell (North Devon), D R Pyle (Exmouth), J K Drew (Heathcoat), M P Skeemer (Cornwood), G B Allen, J E Thompson (both Torquay), D J Goodey (Plymouth), H M Whitlock (Bovey Tracey), B P R Williams (Torquay).

Somerset 2nd XI: C G Harrison, L J P Shaw, F R Trenouth, E J Byrom, J Scriven, C Clist, A J Dunning, J Clarke, E Eminson, J C Gore, G Curry.

Umpires: C Shelton & M Stockwell.