CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING
DEVON have made two changes to their match-day squad for Sunday’s NCA KO Cup clash away to Hertfordshire.
Skipper Jamie Stephens, who missed the win over Bedfordshire last time out due to work commitments, is back to lead the team at Hertford CC.
Zak Bess, who dropped out of the 13 initially named by Devon for the Bedfordshire match, is also free of outside commitments and able to play.
Numerous late withdrawals left Devon with 12 on match-day morning at Exeter when Bedfordshire turned up. Gone from that group are Somerset’s Ned Leonard and Ben Beaumont, who was relegated to 12th-man duties when the teams were named.
Dan Goodey, who was called-up at the 11thhour for new-ball duties against Bedfordshire when Hugo Whitlock dropped out, unsurprisingly keeps his place after taking three wickets.
Left-armer Jonty Walliker, who had a four-wicket debut against Bedfordshire, also stays in the team.
Bedfordshire, chasing 285 to win, were bowled out for 123 with more than 15 overs to go after Walliker and Goodey decimated their early and middle order.
Exeter’s Sam Read clubbed 66 off 29 balls to open the Devon innings with a bang!
For Walliker it was a day to remember, although he felt he could have done more.
“I was very happy with my debut but a little disappointed not to get five wickets," said Walliker.
“It's a big step up from Devon League cricket, but I had a fun day.”
Dave Tall, the Devon team chief, said Walliker was brought in to do a specific task and could not have done it much better.
“He has the ability to score quick runs late in the innings – he did that – and get good batsmen out,” said Tall.
“We have seen some of what Jonty can do and I hope to see plenty more as he improves as a player from exposure at this level.”
Devon’s victory over Bedfordshire by 161 runs hoisted them up to second in a five-team Group Two table that could not be any closer.
Four teams are level on two points each with Hertfordshire the odd ones out as they have not won yet.
Berkshire, who trounced Devon by 10 wickets in the opening round of fixtures, remain top on net run rate despite suffering a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Cornwall in round two.
Devon v Hertfordshire (from):J A Stephens (Taunton Deane), C J Haggett (Shapwick & Polden), J D Horler (Exmouth), M W Thompson (Congresbury), E H Hamilton (Plympton), Z G G Bess (Sidmouth), S O Read (Exeter), A J Small (Sandford), D J Goodey (Bashley), J E B Walliker (Plympton), E W O Middleton (Taunton Deane), F Sabir (Ombursley).
