DEVON captain Matt Thompson has plenty to ponder after a productive Twenty20 trial day at Seaton.
Three of the side who took Devon to finals day in the Unicorns T20 Cup last season have retired from county cricket, which leaves Thompson and the team management places to fill.
Somerset’s Peter Trego, who has been engaged by Devon as a professional this season, will take one of the berths when available. And new signings Mitch Pugh and England Under-19 pacer Kasey Aldridge will be in the mix too.
Thompson said from what he saw at Seaton, there will be difficult selection choices to make for this season’s T20 campaign, which starts with a May Bank Holiday double header against Wales and Wiltshire.
“A trial day is something we have wanted to try for some time and having done one is was definitely worthwhile,” said Thompson.
“It is a chance for the team management to see what players can do.
“And it is a chance for aspiring players coming in to see what they have to do if they want to be part of it.”
Picking out individuals is dangerous business for captains and Thompson was careful what he said.
“Ideally you want two spinners in a T20 team and one of them is likely to be Jamie Stephens if he is available,” said Thompson.
“With Chappell no longer around we were able to look at players like Toby Codd and Ed Middleton for a place. It was a shame Matt Petherbridge was injured the day before as it would have been helpful to look at him.
“Rob Cunningham took his chance well with wickets and my brother Joe bowled well at the death and smacked 18 off five balls at the end, which is the sort of job he would be asked to do in the team.
“James Degg and George Allen both batted well – and it was great to see Matt Golding back after his year in Australia. In both games he did something significant with either bat or ball.
“Mitch Pugh did not play, neither did Dan Pyle or either of the Somerset lads (Ben Green and Tom Lammonby), who played last year.
“Not everyone can play in every game so you need to know what you have got to cope with that.
“If everyone is available on our list, we will have a strong squad to pick from and there will be some hard decisions to make.”
One player who won’t be featuring in the first two games is early order batsman Josh Mailling. He got tangled up in the boundary rope and broke one of his hands as he tripped and fell.
Game One: Zak Bess’ XI 141-3 (J H G Degg 29, L J Lewis 38no, Z G G Bess 27), Matt Thompson’s XI 99 (M W Thompson 26; R Cunningham 4-16, D J Goodey 2-16, J King 2-18). Bess’ XI bt Thompson XI by 42 runs.
Game Two: M W Thompson’s XI 161-5 (M C Golding 65, MW Thompson 56no; J King 2-47), Zak Bess’ XI 159-3 (J H G Degg 63, J A Stephens 31, L J Lewis 27). M W Thompson’s XI bt Bess’ XI by 2 runs.
