Devon's new regime weighs-up potential talent in first warm-up game | Left-arm pacer Nott (pictured) among new faces picked for University challenge

CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

DEVON start the countdown to a new season in National Counties competitions with a 50-over friendly against the University of Exeter on Sunday.

Sunday’s game is one of two warm-up opportunities for Devon before the serious stuff starts on April 26 when Buckinghamshire are the opposition in the 50-over National Counties Trophy at North Devon CC. The other is an inter-club match at Exeter CC on Easter Sunday.

There are new faces running the county squads this season following the departure of Dave Tall as director of coaching – and some new player faces in the selection frame.

Torquay CC player and coach Tim Western is the new performance director, a position he will work closely in with new lead coach Calum Haggett.

Haggett, who was Devon’s match professional between 2021-2024, has been seconded from his role as Somerset CCC’s regional performance coach to work with Western.

As a former First-Class player with Kent and Somerset, as well as England under-19s, Haggett has a lot to offer Devon in his new role.

Also part of the coaching team is former Devon player Sandy Allen, whose full-time role is with the Devon Cricket Foundation’s pathway programme.

Western said he has high expectations from the new-look coaching set-up.

“With Calum's vast experience, and Sandy's coaching acumen, we three aim to elevate the county’s standards across all three formats,” said Western.

“This structure will provide the best possible environment for the playing squad and not only enhance our on-field performance but also ensure a robust pipeline for nurturing local talent. 

“These appointments have come off the back of the much-appreciated working links with the Devon Cricket Foundation and Somerset CCC.”

Andy Hurry, the director of cricket at Somerset, said strengthening Devon’s coaching set-up will benefit both clubs.

“The appointments of Calum Haggett. and the further integration of Sandy Allen, reflects a shared commitment to nurturing talent across the South West,” said Hurry.

“The partnership between our clubs plays a key role in building a strong pathway for players, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this structure will have both on and off the field.”

New faces in Devon’s match-day 12 include Exeter batsman Seb Linnitt, formerly with Teignmouth & Shaldon, his left-armer clubmate Josh Nott, Sandford seamer Matt Jeacock and Callum Harvey and Joe Heywood, both of whom have Somerset connections.

Harvey, a batter who plays in the West of England Premier League for Midsomer Norton, is a former Millfield Schoolboy who has been part of the Somerset academy system.

Heywood, who has played for England at under-19 level, is a 17-year-old pace bowler who has been part of Somerset’s system since the age of 11.

Long-serving keeper-batter Matt Thompson, who made his Devon debut as an 18-year-old back in 2010, will be behind the stumps at the start of his final season in the team.

Thompson, 34 later this year, will retire at the end of the 2025 season. To date he has featured in 134 games in all three formats of the game, accumulating nearly 4,900 runs and close to 260 catches or stumpings.

Devon: James Horler (Exmouth), Matt Thompson (Congresbury), Ben Privett (Cornwood), Seb Linnitt, Sam Read (both Exeter), Callum Harvey (Midsomer Norton), Josh Nott (Exeter), Matt Jeacock, Lawrence Walker (both Sandford), Jamie Stephens (Valley End), Joe Heywood (Bath), Fin Hill (Exeter).