SOMERSET have named a side packed with emerging talent for Sunday's 50-over friendly against Devon at Sidmouth (11am).
Six of the side, being skippered by keeper-batsman Ryan Davies, have played for England Under-19s – including 12th man Louie Shaw.
Shaw toured India with England earlier this year alongside Somerset clubmates George Bartlett and Tom Banton.
Devonians Dom Bess, Tom Lammonby and Ben Green, who are all at different levels on the England player pathway, are all in the 12.
Of the rest Josh Davey and Michael Leask represented Scotland in the last ICC World Cup and Eddie Byrom has played for Zimbabwe at under-17 level.
Fionn Hand, a student at Queen’s, Taunton, is a name few will recognise at first glance.
Hand, a quickie from the Republic of Ireland, came to attention after winning a search-for-a-fast-bowler competition.
Keith Donohue, Devon’s director of cricket, said facing a strong Somerset side was just what his team needed.
“This is our third and last warm-up game and we always knew it would be our hardest,” said Donohue.
“I don’t mind that at all. We want to play the best opposition so we can measure ourselves against them.
“I expect we will have our hands full, but so will they.”
Devon play Dorset at Instow a week tomorrow (April 23) in their opening Unicorns Trophy game.
The match against Somerset is one last chance to look at selection options and get players acclimatized.
“Conditions at Sidmouth are likely to be similar to the ones we will encounter at North Devon, so this is good preparation for us,” said Donohue.
Devon have to find at least seam bowler and potentially two for the game against Dorset as Jack Popham won’t play and Zak Bess is less than 50-50.
Hugo Whitlock and Dan Goodey have bowled themselves into contention during previous warm-ups against Hampshire and Gloucestershire and are top of the options at the moment.
Former captains Rob Woodman and Matt Thompson are unavailable against Somerset, although that is not significant.
Thompson averaged more than 50 last season in the one-day cup and Woodman was a fraction over 49. Both will play against Dorset.
Devon have made one late change to their selected 12 for the game. Spinner Jamie Stephens has withdrawn and his place goes to Charlie Miles.
Devon v Somerset 2nd XI: L J Lewis (Sidmouth), F R Tremouth (Millfield), A W Barrow (Exeter), D R Pyle (Exmouth), J J Bess (Sidmouth), M C Golding (Bovey Tracey), M H Curtis (Clevedon), J F S Dart (Heathcoat), D J Goodey (Plymouth), J V King (North Devon), H M Whitlock (Bovey Tracey), C L Miles, S Barlow (both Sidmouth).
Somerset: R C Davies, E J Byrom, G A Bartlett, M A Leask, T Banton, B G F Green, T A Lammonby, J H Davey, D M Bess, F Hand, O R T Sale. 12th man L J P Shaw.
