New Devon captain Alex Barrow in the middle<br>credit: www.ppauk.com

DEVON have turned to former Somerset batsman Alex Barrow to replace Matt Thompson as captain in all three formats of the game.

Barrow, 27, had seven years on the staff at Somerset and played 67 first-team matches between 2012-2016. He joined Sidmouth from Exeter at the start of the current league season.

Torquinian Thompson, stood down last week just four competitive games into his second stint as captain. His first spell was between 2015-2016 when he took over from Josh Bess (2012-2014) and was then replaced by Bess (2017-2018) when he returned from living in Australia.

New Devon cricket captain Alex BarrowThompson had a heart to heart with the Devon management after a disappointing start to the Unicorns T20 Cup campaign, which resulted in three defeats and a tie from the four matches played.

Although there was no pressure on Thompson from the management, he felt it was in everyone’s interests including his own to bring someone else in.

“The last time I was captain my own form suffered and that is not good for the team,” said Thompson.

“The way I looked at it was if I stayed on as captain and was not enjoying it I probably would not want to play at all after a while.

“Nothing in cricket means more to me than playing cricket for Devon and I want to carry on until loss of form or infirmity and injury mean I don’t get selected.”

Thompson was always clear he could not play in all Devon’s one-day, three-day and T20 games this season, which meant having a vice-captain was essential.

Barrow, who accepted the number-two role, was the obvious choice to succeed Thompson. But he had availability issues too due to his work on the sports staff at King’s, Taunton.

Dave Tall, Devon’s director of cricket, said after talks with Barrow over the weekend the county had no qualms about the appointment.

“We can’t be 100 per cent sure Alex can play in every game, but there are enough experienced players in the team to cope with that should it become an issue,” said Tall.

“Sadly the age we live in now is not one where players are always going to be available for every game – even if they are the county captain.

“In the time Alex has played regularly for us we have seen what he can do and know the expertise from his Somerset days he brings to the team.

“His first game in charge will be the double header against Dorset at North Perrott, when we hope Peter Trego will play his first game for us.”

Trego, currently on a one-day deal with Somerset, is contracted to play for Devon this season when not required by the Cidermen.

Zak Bess, a younger brother of former skipper Josh Bess, is Devon’s new vice-captain.

Tall said Thompson remains available for selection as a player, which is good news for Devon.

“Matt is a top player in Minor Counties cricket and I am sure he will be scoring runs for Devon for a number of years to come.”