CONRAD SUTCLIFFE AT SIDMOUTH
HEREFORDSHIRE captain Luke Tulcaz condemned Devon to a gruelling day in the field at Sidmouth with a marathon innings that saved his side from total collapse.
Devon had reduced Herefordshire to 28 for three when Tulcaz strode out to bat. Within eight balls they were 28 for and it was a short stumble from there to 43 for five.
Herefordshire recovered to reach 193 all out in 75.1 overs of batting time with Tulcaz largely they reason they got that far.
The Herefordshire skipper batted for more a session and a half – that takes some doing whatever the temperature – to make 82 from 207 balls received. He hit boundaries and faced countless dot balls.
Devon seamer James Matravers (3-30) and spinner Callum Harvey (3-32) were entirely responsible for Herefordshire’s early issues.
Tulcaz had valuable support from Herefordshire debutant Freddie Ammonds, who ground out 35 from 99 balls during a stand that took the running total to 116 for six.
Getting Ammonds out didn’t end the fightback as James Rudge hung around to make 32 in a partnership that added 62 for the seventh wicket.
Harvey trapped Rudge lbw to end his stay and from then on it was down all the way. Matt Whalley (3-33) took the next three wickets to fall – Tulcaz one of them trapped in front – without giving away a run.
Devon knocked the arrears down by 88 runs in the 30 overs they had to bat for at the end of day one with openers James Horler and Elliot Hamilton the men out. Horler was caught at slip and Hamilton, in his own words, ‘missed a straight one’ and was lbw to left-armer Theo Baker.
Matt Thompson (29no) and Seb Linnitt (40no) put on 75 unbroken before stumps were pulled.
Tim Western, Devon’s performance director, described it as an ‘interesting day’s cricket’ with plenty to chew over.
“We were pleased to pick up key wickets early on in Herefordshire's innings, reducing them to 43 for five,” said Western.
“Our seamers (Daldorph, Privett and Matravers) were dangerous whilst the ball was new.
“Momentum changed due to a combination of a gutsy knock from Tulcaz, weakening of our intensity, dropped catches and the pitch flattening out under the unrelenting sun.
“It was good to pick up their last four wickets for just 15 runs, with our trio of spinners doing the damage.”
Western also had a commendation for Thompson and Linnitt for getting through the final hour without mishap.
“We were under pressure against the new ball, but Matt Thompson and Seb Linnitt batted with patience and skill to take us into day two looking to create a substantial first-innings lead,” said Western.
