Five newcomers in Devon's XII for Trophy curtain raiser against Buckinghamshire | Nott (pictured) among potential debutants | 'Josh brings in a left-arm approach that adds an extra string to our bow' – James Horler

CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

DEVON get their 50-over National Counties Trophy campaign up and running on Sunday when they face Buckinghamshire at Instow (11am).

There is a new look to the Devon squad this season with five fresh faces in Sunday's match-day 12, among them Exeter duo Seb Linnitt and Josh Nott.

Linnitt, a Somerset Academy scholar, bats high and has been in and around the Devon Lions programme for a while

Nott, who joined Exeter from Torquay & Kingskerswell last season, adds a left-arm seam-bowling option Devon have lacked in recent seasons. With regular new-ball bowler Kazi Szymanski unavailable, Nott is almost certain to make his county debut.

James Horler, the Devon captain, said 18-year-old Nott will add much-needed variation to the bowling attack.

“We've been slightly lacking on the seamers’ front in last few seasons, and our main aim over the winter was to try and hone that seam attack,” said Horler.

“Josh brings in a left-arm approach that adds an extra string to our bow. He impressed on debut in our warm-up game against the University of Exeter and, brings a good energy to the side.”

Although Linnitt and Nott don’t need too many introductions, Callum Harvey, Seb Allison and Joe Heywood do.

Harvey, a student at Solent University was part of the academy process with Somerset. He was steered in Devon’s direction by former county captain Matt Thompson, who coached him when he was at Millfield School. Harvey bats and bowls left-arm spin.

Allison, a student at the University of Exeter, is an opening bowler and more than useful batsman with previous white and red-ball experience with Northumberland.

Allison has played second-eleven cricket for Worcestershire and Kent as well as being selected for the Challengers programme, which is a privately-funded initiative that aims to prepare players for the professional game. 

Former Somerset spinner Max Waller, who also played for Torquay and Budleigh Salterton, recommended Allison to Devon.

Heywood, who is still part of the Somerset Academy system, made an impressive debut for England under-19 last season in a 108-run win over Ireland at Loughborough. He took a wicket with the third ball he bowled and finished with figures of four for 36. 

Devon have been able to dual register Heywood as part of their partnership agreement with Somerset.

Fifty-over cricket used to be a Devon speciality with wins in Lord’s finals in 1992, 1994, 1998 and 2008, as well as one at Wormsley in 2014. Since then the cupboard has been bare, apart from a two-run defeat by Cheshire in the 2018 final.

Devon did reach the quarter-final stage last season, where they lost to Cheshire. James Horler, the Devon captain, will be aiming to improve on that performance this season.

Standing between Devon and the quarter-final are group stage opponents Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire (A), Cornwall (A) and Berkshire (H).

Devon v Buckinghamshire (from): J D Horler (Exmouth), S J Linnitt (Exeter), B H Privett (Cornwood), F J Hill (Exeter), M W Thompson (Congresbury), L S Walker (Sandford), C F Harvey (Midsomer Norton), S O Read (Exeter), J A Stephens (Valley End), S J Allison (University of Exeter), J P Heywood (Bath), J M Nott (Exeter).