By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
CORNWOOD’S Alex Shutt is a first-time pick for the Devon Lions in the side facing the Cornwall Choughs at Truro tomorrow.
Tim Western, Devon CCC’s performance director, is not afraid to look outside the box when talent spotting for the county’s development side.
“We have selected an exciting mix of players in and around the first team, talented players from the pathway and others who have performed well in the Devon Cricket League,” said Western.
Shutt started his cricket journey with Yelverton in the lower divisions of the Tolchards DCL before moving up a couple or rungs in an effort to improve his game. The switch has clearly done some good, if the invitation to play for the Lions is anything to go by.
Robin Dart, who as Cornwood’s 2nd XI captain worked closely with Shutt after his arrival at Oak Park, said: “Alex is a great example to other juniors at the club in respect to his commitment to training and desire to improve his overall game.
“Like with any junior there is a desire to bowl with real pace, and watching him combine this with finding his rhythm and consistency has been a pleasure. Hopefully this will be a big year for him.”
Western said Shutt’s work on his game had been put into action on the field.
“Alex is a talented pathway player whose seam?bowling consistency and control are improving, and that showed with a strong 2025 season for Devon under-18s with 21 wickets,” said Western.
“I am looking forward to seeing Alex Shutt and Josh Nott with the new-ball. Josh has tasted first team cricket and has had a good winter playing overseas.
Among other new faces is Stoke Gabriel seam bowler Isaac Withington, whose form with the ball has aroused Devon’s interest.
Withington had a crack at Premier cricket with Brixham back in 2016, but returned to Stoke the following summer after the Boundary Park side were relegated straight back to the A Division.
Twenty-nine league and cup wickets for Stoke last season aroused the interest of the Lions’ management.
Hopkins, a Devon age-group graduate, has featured for Sandford at first and second-team level in recent seasons. He is a man in form having battered North Devon CC for a rapid century in a Brights Motors NDL game on Sunday.
Kidd, who has made a name for himself at Exmouth since switching from Whimple in 2022, is a genuine all-rounder who has been knocking on the Lions’ door for a while. A profitable UK winter in Australia with Coburg CC – 782 runs, a club batting record and 17 wickets – pushed the door open.
Matt Whalley – having a successful season in the full county side with bat and ball – and Harry Passenger are the senior players in the side.
Harry Southgate will captain the Devon Lions team this summer. He takes over from Jack Ford who, said Western ‘did an excellent job guiding our emerging talent over the past two seasons’.
Tavistock’s Elliot Hamilton, a Devon regular in three-day cricket, is travelling with the team as player-coach.
“Having someone of Elliot’s experience involved is invaluable,” said Western. “He sets high standards and understands the demands of National Counties cricket.”
Devon Lions: C Kidd (Exmouth), H D Southgate (Sandford, I Withington (Stoke Gabriel), J E Triner Bradninch & Kentisbeare), O S Gribble (Exeter), M G Whalley (Callington), H J Passenger (Torquay & Kingskerswell), J Hopkins (Sandford), J M Nott (Exeter), A Shutt (Cornwood), E H Hamilton (Tavistock).
Cornwall: S P Kellow, B Alford, H Ayres, J Carter, H Gregory, J Howarth, C Johnson, A Lean, A May, G Rickard, E Stoddard, J Thomas.
[O] Devon are in action again on Monday night when they take on a Somerset XI at Exmouth (5pm).
