DEVON Lions have called-up Cornwood batter Aaron Richards for the 50-over white-ball friendly against Somerset Academy XI at Bovey Tracey tomorrow (Sunday, 11am).
Richards, a top-order batter, is averaging 43 in league cricket and, according to Lions selector Tim Western ‘deserves an opportunity to show what he can do at the next level up’.
Paignton left-armer Cole Harford, who learned his cricket at Barton, gets a call, as does Cornwood’s Aaron Richards.
Devon have one more game to come – a home game with Gloucestershire at Heathcoat – which will be one last chance for young players to stake their claim for a place in next season’s squad.
Bradninch batter Rory Thomas may feature in that team having had a breakthrough season in the Premier Division.
Thomas was recommended to Western by Bradninch vice-captain Tim Piper, who rates him highly.
“Rory averages 30 for us, striking at 120 opening the batting, and is an exciting, one-day player playing Premier cricket,” said Piper.
“Why are they favouring lower league players and sometimes players not getting into their club’s first teams?”
Said Western: “The Lions programme is all about giving players a chance to show what they can do and helping them develop as cricketers.
“I always welcome recommendations from senior players they have either played with or against and been impressed with.”
There are some familiar faces in the Somerset side, notably Devon duo Abraham Kopparambil, who bats in the top half of the order, and left-arm spinner Max Hancock.
Kopparambil has been knocking out the runs in Premier cricket for Bovey Tracey this season and is not far away from Devon’s Minor Counties side.
Hancock made his debut for Devon earlier this week in the defeat by Herefordshire at Plymouth and Western is not surprised Somerset want a look at him.
“Somerset probably know a fair bit about Max already as he is at school on their doorstep at Millfield and went to the Bunbury Festival last year,” said Western.
“Now Max has played a three-day game for Devon, I can see Somerset being a bit more interested in seeing what he can do.”
Cornwall duo Sam Wyatt and Lewis Goldsworthy are both in the Somerset squad.
Devon Lions: G B Allen (Torquay), T O Moore (Sidmouth), C F Harford (Paignton), A J Causey (Bovey Tracey), L Stephenson (Heathcoat), M J Petherbridge (Plymouth), J Degg, J Caunter (both Plympton), H J Sargent (Exeter), A Richards (Cornwood), D M V Fogerty (Hatherleigh), H J Kerton (Plymouth).
Somerset Academy XI: K Aldridge, W Chesterman, L P Goldsworthy, T Hall, M W Hancock, C Harding, A S Kopparambil, C J Reed, J Sumerauer, B J J Wells,S G Wyatt.
