DEVON face an uphill battle against Cheshire at Alderley Edge after being skittled out for 85 on day one.

Cheshire were 189 for two at last night’s close, 104 runs ahead, and will be looking to bat Devon out of the game on day two.

Devon’s batting in three-day cricket has been inconsistent in the three games already played this season.

The team management probably felt it could not get any worse after Herefordshire dismissed Devon for 89 in round two. It just did.

Devon’s total of 85 all out is the second lowest registered by the county in the 19 seasons since three-day cricket was introduced. All-out for 73 against Cornwall at Truro in 2009 remains the all-time low.

Mitch Pugh (23) and Matt Skeemer (22) had the only scores of note as Devon careered to 19 for five, 45 for seven and on to 85 all out.

Ben Aitchison (4-18) did the damage with the new ball, then left Ben Gibbon (3-23) and Rick Moore (2-16) to sort out the rest.

Dave Tall, Devon’s director of cricket, said there could be no hiding place for the batsmen.

“The was a bit in the pitch for the bowlers, but poor shot selection had more to do with it than anything else,” said Tall.

“It is three-day cricket. Batsmen have to be prepared to bat for long periods and wait for loose balls to come along. You don’t need to go searching for them.

“Collectively we have had a bad day. The upside of three-day cricket is having the time to put things right.”

Devon 85 (B W Aitchison 4-18, B J Gibbon 3-25), Cheshire 189-2 (D J Wainwright 40, R A L Moore 50no, R T Sehmi 67no). Bonus points: Cheshire 5, Devon 0. Full scorecard