CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

DEVON have recalled Elliot Hamilton to their white-ball side for tomorrow’s NV-Play Trophy must-win meeting with Hertfordshire at Sidmouth (11am).

In a three-horse race for two knockout qualification spots from Group Three, Devon must win to have a chance of reaching the last eight.

Hamilton barely missed a 50-over game for Devon between 2021-2024 before taking a break from representative games for a cricket re-boot.

Devon benefited from Hamilton’s return to red-ball cricket in the second half of last season – he was a key member of the side that won the Western Division title – and hope he has a similar impact in the 50-over game.

With opening batter Dan Pyle struggling to get over a hamstring injury there is a vacancy at the top of the order. James Horler, the Devon captain, said inform Hamilton is a perfect fit.

“Elliot’s a solid player who has performed at this level consistently,” said Horler. “He bolsters the top order, and has the ability to bat time.”

Hamilton batted from start to finish for Tavistock while making an unbeaten 151 against Sidmouth in the last round of Devon Premier Division games. He topped that up with 73 the next day in a Development XI win over Cornwall at Truro.

James Matravers, a Devonian on the Academy roster at Gloucestershire, will make his debut in one of the all-rounder roles. He bowls seam up as well as bats and was given a run-out against a Somerset XI in the Showcase Game at Exmouth earlier this week.

The Matravers name is synonymous with Honiton CC, where James started out before being talent spotted by Gloucestershire playing in the Bunbury Festival in 2022. New Devon team-mate Seb Linnitt was in the same Festival XI.

Matravers currently plays WEPL cricket for Bedminster, where former Devon spinner Fahad Sabir is a colleague. So is Cornwall all-rounder Max Tryfonos.

“James impressed in the Showcase Game,” said Horler. “He comes in as a strong seamer but also strengthens the middle-order in a game where runs will be important.”

Third-placed Devon (4pts) are in a three-way battle with leaders Wiltshire (6pts), second-placed Berkshire (4) for a spot in the top two. 

Defeating winless Hertfordshire will give Devon a great chance of qualifying, although what happens in the match between Wiltshire and Berkshire at Warminster could have a knock-on effect.

Should Devon and Berkshire win all three contenders will be level on six points. Then net run-rate will come in to play to determine the one-two-three. Wiltshire go into the last round on +1.57; Berkshire are +0-71 and Devon +0.48. All Devon can do is beat Hertfordshire and watch out for the result from Warminster.

Horler said worrying about run-rates is not a priority. Winning the game is.

“The key will just be to focus on our game,” said Horler. “We will be looking to bat long, set a platform and put on a big score.

“Devon have a strong record at Sidmouth, good to be back there in a white-ball game.”

Devon: J D Horler (Exmouth), B H Privett (Midsomer Norton), E H Hamilton (Tavistock), J R Matravers (Bedminster), S J Linnitt (Exeter), M W Thompson (Callington), C F Harvey (Midsomer Norton), H J Passenger (Torquay & Kingskerswell), C D Penberthy (Bridestowe & Belstone), M G Whalley (Callington), S O Read (Exeter).

Hertfordshire: D Chatfield, A Harrison, J J Gordon, Arjun Patel, B H Clifford, E Hales, C Seggery, T J Arnold, Chinmay Mullapudi, B A Waring, D Orchard.

Umpires: P A Smith, P J Sparshott.