Devon at Paignton in 1971: Devon v Dorset at Paignton 1971 Laurie Price, Ian Murray, Brian Lambert, Mike Goodrich, Paul Dunkells, Terry Friend. Bob Whitburn, Ralph Haly. Front: John Toliday, Alan Sibley, Doug Yeabsley, Gerald Trump, Peter Eele, David Traylor

WE’VE all done it at sometime or another. Rain is beating on the dressing room window, there’s no prospect of any cricket for hours and a game of cards holds little appeal.

One of the most popular distraction tactics when rain stops play is to pick your all-time team to take on the best.

Norman Humphries - nine tons and 14 half-centuries in 60 games for DevonWith Devon’s first pre-season friendly barely six weeks away, what better way to start the countdown to the return of cricket than picking your own best-ever Devon XI?

Devon County Cricket Club is inviting entries from anyone with an interest in Devon CCC – supporters, players past and present or rivals – to pick a team and enter it in a competition. A panel of judges will decide which team is the strongest. There will be a prize for the winner and the chance to compare sides.

The rules are simple: any player who has represented Devon since 1946 when Minor Counties cricket resumed after the war is eligible for selection. All teams have to have a recognised wicketkeeper, a nominated captain and a 12thman.

Remember the side has to be balanced, which means having a variety of bowlers as well as a string of hot-shot batters. 

You don’t have to pick a team from one particular era or regime, which means prolific run getters from the 40s and 50s such as Norman Humphries (1938-1955) could open the batting with Nick Gaywood (1981-1999).

Fast-bowling batsman Frank Irish (1937-1953) might be an option – or what about off-spinning batter Kevin Rice (1984-1998)? The choice is yours.

Hundreds of cricketers have represented Devon since cricket returned after the war. Over the next few weeks Conrad Sutcliffe will be profiling players from the past to help you select your team.

Entries are open as of now. Email your team to conradcopy@btinternet.com if you want to enter. The competition runs until April 2, 2021. A judging panel will sift through the entries and pick a winner. Details of prizes will be revealed before the closing date.