Ready to roll at the start of the static cycle challenge in Exeter

FUND-raising is up and running for the Devon Girls’ development squad tour to South Africa in February.

Squad members who are visiting Cape completed a weekend of fund-raising activities initially by hitting 14,057 balls during their 24-hour batathon at Plymouth College.

This was followed this with the launch of their static cycle challenge at Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter.Tour organiser Warren Carr cranking up the pace at the static cycle challenge

The square are aiming to cycle from Devon to Cape Town – a distance of 6,006 miles as the crow flies – on static bikes.

More than a thousand miles were cycled at this event, with the remainder being taken individually by the touring squad in their own schools and gyms. 

Places are still available for the fund-raising golf day at Teign Valley GC near Chudleigh on Friday, January 12. Contact Warren Carr for further details.

A 15-girl playing party and a three-strong management team are flying out to Cape Town on February 10 for the four-handed tournament.

Waiting for Devon are Western Province, Namibia and Warwickshire and two games against each in T20 and 50-over formats.

Devon finished midway up the table when they took part in the last tournament in 2016. Highlights of the trip were wins over Zimbabwe in both formats and a 50-over victory in the match against Western Province.

Steph Hutchins and Rose Ball both made the trip in 2016 and will be the senior pros in February. Hutchins will lead the side.

A new experience for the Devon girls – all under-19s – will be a day-night fixture at Bergvliet High School.

Touring is an expensive pastime and the girls are hard at work raising funds to meet the £2,000 cost of their places.

“Many of us have experience of touring abroad and understand what a fantastic experience it can be, particularly for the developing young player,” said tour organiser Carr.

“Equally we know it is expensive so if anyone would like to help us with a donation, please visit our justgiving page.”

The justgiving page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/devon-womens-cricket-tour

So far around £600 has been pledged towards defraying the costs of the tour.

The playing party is: Stephanie Hutchins (Plympton); Cassia Astley-Jones (Axminster); Rose Ball (Tarka); Daisy Meadowcroft (Filleigh); Millie Squire (Filleigh); Annabel Squire (Filleigh); Emma Seward (Axminster); Maddie Holifield (Axminster); Sophie Florides (Axminster); Holly Elsworth (Axminster); Katie Donovan (Axminster); Rebecca Halliday (Plympton); Olivia Churcher (Kingsbridge); Emily Martin (Plympton); Chloe Rose (Hatherleigh).