Tall backs Walliker (pictured) to make an impact for Devon | 'He bowls something different to everyone else and is a powerful hitter of the ball coming in down the order' – Dave Tall

Jonty Walliker - poised to make his Devon debut in the game against Bedfordshire

CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

DEVON team chief Dave Tall has is backing Plympton’s Jonty Walliker to produce the goods for Devon when his county chance comes along.

Walliker is in Devon’s 12-man squad for tomorrow’s 50-over showdown with Bedfordshire at Exeter (11am) in the National Counties KO Cup.

Walliker, who bowls left-arm seamers and gives the ball a whack down the order, is poised for his first 50-over start for Devon. Opening bowler Hugo Whitlock has dropped out of what was a 13-man squad with a foot injury, and seam bowling all-rounder Zak Bess has pulled-out too. Elliott Staddon had already been drafted into the squad as cover for Bess.

Tall said if Walliker is in the starting line-up he will prove an asset to the side.Nick Folland – match-winning knock for Devon against Bedfordshire in 1997

“I don’t think Jonty realises yet how good he could be as he is such a laid-back character,” said Tall.

“He bowls something different to everyone else and is a powerful hitter of the ball coming in down the order.

“In T10, T20 and pre-season cricket he has looked good when he has played and I feel he has a lot to offer.

“It is a shame he was not available last week when we played Berkshire as he would definitely have played as availability was different.”

Walliker, who missed the first month of the county season due to his studies in Manchester, has his fingers crossed for a debut appearance tomorrow.

“It would be a step up and should be a good challenge,” said Walliker.

Devon went down to a 10-wicket defeat at the hands of cup holders Berkshire in their first group game in the cup.

A win over Bedfordshire will keep Devon hopes alive of qualifying for the last-eight knockout stages.

Devon are away to Hertfordshire next Sunday in their third group game and face Cornwall at Sidmouth in the final round of qualifying matches on June 26.

Tony Allin – four wickets in Devon's 1994 win over BedfordshireDevon have come out on top in two of the three previous meetings between the counties in the one-day competition.

Back in 1994, when it was known as the MCC Trophy and played under a 55-over format, Devon defeated Bedfordshire by two wickets at Bedford School in the semi-finals.

Tony Allin took four Bedfordshire wickets for 20 runs in an 11-over spell as the home side were held to 182 for five.

Skipper Peter Roebuck (53) and John Tierney (42) got Devon into the final with seven balls to spare. Devon defeated Lincolnshire in the Lord’s final with opener Nick Gaywood making a century.

Bedfordshire were the opposition again in the 1997 quarter-final, which was hosted by Torquay CC.

Nick Folland top scored for Devon with 75 in their all-out total of 198. Gaywood made 30 and Richard Baggs (27).

Three wickets for Keith Donohue, and two each for Paul Warren and Andy Pugh, helped dismiss Bedfordshire for 166 and hand Devon a 32 run win. Devon lost to Shropshire at Telford in the semi-final.

A 2012 meeting between Devon and Bedfordshire at Bovey Tracey was washed out when Devon were 23 for one chasing 101 to win in a game that had already been reduced to 23 overs each. Man of the moment for Devon with three wickets for 14 runs was left-arm spinner Gary Chappell.