Ben Privett (left) receiving his county cap from Devon skipper James Horler<br>credit: Roger Wensley - no re-use without copyright owner's consent

CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

DEVON all-rounder Ben Privett has been presented with his county cap in acknowledgement of his match-turning performances in all forms of National Counties Cricket.

Some of Devon’s rivals present caps to players when they make their county debuts. Devon award them the old-fashioned way for significant contributions to the team. Privett has done that with bat and ball in his hand.

Privett has made 50 appearances for Devon across all three formats of the game – Championship, 50-over and Twenty20 – since making his debut in 2023. His 50th appearance was in the drawn game with Berkshire earlier this week.

Highlights so far are 98 against Dorset this season – a Devon record for the competition – and a five-for-14 bowling return against Cornwall in 2024.

In 50-over cricket Privett made a century against Buckinghamshire in 2024 and taken four-wicket hauls against Cheshire (2024) and Oxfordshire (2025).

Four half-centuries and a batting average in the early 30s are one of Privett’s contributions to three-day cricket. Twelve wickets are another.

Devon's Ben Privett thunders in to bowl Privett is one of only four players – captain James Horler, opening batsman Elliot Hamilton and all-rounder Sam Read are the others – who played in Devon’s Western Division title squads in 2023 and 2025.

Privett’s name would have been one of the first on the Devon team-sheet for Sunday’s Twenty20 play-off day at Exeter. Devon are already through to the quarter-final. Buckinghamshire and Wiltshire meet in a morning qualifier to determine who stays on to face Devon in the afternoon.

James Horler, Devon’s three-day and 50-over skipper, said Privett is an asset to the county squad both on and off the field.

“Although Ben has been a crucial member of the squad over the past four seasons, he has really come into his own this year across all three formats,” said Horler.

“Ben’s scoring power opening the batting, Alongside his bowling contributions with the new ball, and at the death, have enabled us to succeed in both the 50-over knockout and Twenty20 competitions.

“He is also a personality which the group really value, and an integral part of our success over the last few years.”

Privett was playing Premier Division cricket for Plympton when he debuted against Oxfordshire at Exeter. Since then he has played for Cornwood and, more recently, Midsomer Norton. He graduated to the senior side via performance and coaching with Devon age-group cricket up to the age of 18.