By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

DEVON have called-up reinforcements for Sunday’s National Counties Cup clash with Bedfordshire at Exeter in the wake of a 10-wicket drubbing by holders Berkshire last time out.

Sidmouth all-rounder Zak Bess, Sandford’s Adam Small, Plympton left-armer and hitter Jonty Walliker and Somerset’s dual-registered Ned Leonard come in to what is now a 14-man match-day squad.

Plympton left-armer and hitter Walliker joins Sidmouth all-rounder Zak Bess, Sandford’s Adam Small, and Somerset’s dual-registered Ned Leonard in what is now a 13-man match-day squad.

Gone from the 12 named to face Berkshire at Henley are early-order batsman Jamie Baird, opening bowler Kazi Szymanski and work-tied skipper Jamie Stephens.

Szymanski never actually made it to Henley from his South Wales base. Instead, he opted to turn out for club side Swansea at Penzance in the ECB Clubs’ KO Cup. Baird is not available as he is on a stag weekend for his brother.

Devon were bowled out for 161 by Berkshire, who knocked-off the runs without mishap in the 29th of their 50 overs.

Highlights were few and far between, although James Horler made a patient 27 at the top of the Devon order, Plympton’s Elliot Hamilton jointly top scored with Calum Haggett on 32 and Sam Read made a quick 22 going in at six.

Devon’s last six wickets went for just 30 runs scored as Mungo Russell (5-41) scythed down tail enders for fun.

Dave Tall, the Devon team manager, was largely unimpressed by the batting effort.

“Too many batsmen got set but were unable to go on. At times our shot selection was questionable to stay the least,” said Tall. 

Devon must finish in the top two in their pool to qualify for next month’s knockout stages. Anything other than a win over Bedfordshire will leave the looking for favours in the last two rounds.

Devon are in the same pool as Hertfordshire and Cornwall.

Devon v Bedfordshire (squad): M W Thompson (Congresbury), C J Haggett (Shapwick & Polden), J D Horler (Exmouth), Z G G Bess (Sidmouth), B A Beaumont (Bath), A J Small (Sandford), E H Hamilton (Plympton), E O Leonard (Bridgwater), S O Read (Exeter), H W Whitlock (Kenilworth Wardens), J E B Walliker (Plympton), E W O Middleton (Taunton Deane), F Sabir (Ombersley).

Umpires: S E Lavis, G Callaway.