DEVON get their Unicorns T20 Cup campaign under way with a back-to-back Bank Holiday double header against Cornwall and Dorset.

Devon’s Group Four programme starts on Sunday with a trip to Truro to play Cornwall twice in a day.

It’s back to Sidmouth 24 hours later to do it all again, this time against Dorset.

Wiltshire and Wales are the other teams in Devon’s group. The four winners will go through to a finals days at Wormsley on August 26.

The new competition takes place on days freed up by scaling down the 50-over Unicorns Trophy, which used to be played on a group basis leading to a knockout last eight.

By changing the Trophy to a straight knockout, the five Sundays set aside for the group stages are available for the new competition.

The Minor Counties management trialled a similar T20 competition in 2015, which was well received by players and spectators.

Devon reached the finals day at Banbury, where they lost in the last four to eventual winners Cheshire.

The 2018 edition of the Unicorns T20 will be played in blue kit and white balls.

Two games more than a hundred miles apart on consecutive games over a Bank Holiday weekend does present certain logistical problems for the Devon selection panel.

Skipper Josh Bess is at a wedding so vice-captain Matt Thompson is back in charge. He was captain in 2015-16.

Former England U19 all-rounder Ben Green can play against Cornwall at Truro, but not Dorset at Sidmouth.

Batter Alex Barrow, all-rounder Joe Thompson and pacer George Benton, none of whom are going to Truro, come into an expanded squad to face Dorset.

Pace merchant Joe Gore, who has been working with high performance team at Somerset while studying in Taunton, is added to the squad for the first time.

Jack Gibbs, dual registered with Gloucestershire and part of their Academy, is another bowling first-timer in the squad.

Joe Thompson, whose last T20 game at Sidmouth was his man-of-the match display with the bat for Torquay in the 2016 Devon Cup final win over Bradninch, is called up.

Batsman Peter Randerson, whose last Devon appearance was in the 2015 final at Banbury, comes into the squad playing Dorset.

Devon v Cornwall: M W Thompson (St Fagins), R J Woodman (Taunton Deane), L J Lewis (Sidmouth), B G F Green (Exeter), Z G G Bess (Sidmouth), G R Chappell (Bradninch), P J Randerson (Heathcoat), J H Gibbs (North Devon), S Barlow (Sidmouth), J A Stephens (Falmouth), J C Gore (Exeter), T J R Codd (Bovey Tracey).

Umpires: J S Attridge & G I Callaway

Devon v Dorset: M W Thompson (St Fagins), R J Woodman (Taunton Deane), L J Lewis (Sidmouth), A W R Barrow (Exeter), Z G G Bess (Sidmouth), G R Chappell (Bradninch), P J Randerson (Heathcoat), J H Gibbs (North Devon), J E Thompson (Congresbury), S Barlow (Sidmouth), J A Stephens (Falmouth), J C Gore (Exeter), G Benton (Paignton), T J R Codd (Bovey Tracey).

Umpires: J S Attridge & G I Callaway

DEVON officials will be at the match accepting applications for membership of the county club.

The club is aiming to attract new members this season and has put together an attractive package of benefits.

All Devon members have been invited to a Devon day at Somerset CCC on Friday, May 11, when Hampshire are the visitors.

Admission – normally £18 - will be free to card-carrying Devon members, who will have their own reserved section in the Pavilion Stand.

Another incentive to join the county club this season is the chance to win a VIP day at a home game. A draw will take place every month of all members for a day at a game as a guest for lunch and tea.

Further details of how to join the club can be found on the Devon CCC pages of the Devon Cricket Board website.