Devon second best to Cornwall twice over in Twenty20 double header | Not the start Walker hoped for in new role as captain

CONRAD SUTCLFFE AT BLUNDELL'S SCHOOL

DEVON slipped to back-to-back defeats against Cornwall in a Twenty20 double-header on the Blundell’s School ground in Tiverton.

It was the first game as captain of Devon’s Twenty20 side for Blundell’s old boy Lawrence Walker, who was hoping to make a winning start on his old stomping ground. They lost game one by five wickets and game two by an eight-wicket margin.

Devon were held to a modest 125 for eight in game one with opener Sam Elstone top-scoring on 42. Next best on 18 was Harry Passenger, followed Walker’s Sandford team-mate Adam Small (10). Walker missed out with the bat. He was stumped stepping out to attack Cornwall spinner Ben Ellis.

A feature of Cornwall’s fielding was their athleticism in the field, especially when it came to diving full length for catches.

Cornwall were home and dry early in the 15th over. The result was never in doubt once openers Alex Blake (51 off 22 balls) and Alex Bone (25) put 70 on in the first six overs.

One over from Devon seamer Ben Privett cost 23 runs, which included Blake belting a six then three fours in a row.

George Addy picked-up three Cornwall wickets. Although Sam Read (2-0-8-0) slowed things down, the damage was done by the time he came on.

Cornwall had to work harder second time to improve on Devon’s total of 150 for eight. Although in-form Elstone went cheaply second time around, there were runs from Walker (20), Privett (40) and Callum Harvey (29).

Cornwall bowlers Will MacVicar and Ben Ellis logged identical figures of one for 23 from four overs to contain Devon’s batters. Left-armer Max Tryfonos (3-42) and Xavie Clarke (2-29) took the wickets.

Harvey and Privett taking 16 off an over from Clarke, was as good as it got for Devon.

Cornwall’s reply got off to a flying start with Blake battering four fours and two sixes on the way to 31 off 13 balls. He was first out with the score on 33. Clarke came and went first ball to Privett, which brought MacVicar in join surviving opener Bone.

MacVicar was unbeaten on 57, and Bone reached 60 out with the four off Privett that won it, when Cornwall clinched victory with an over to spare.

Devon’s 13-man squad for both games only contained four survivors from the corresponding group game last season.

Tim Western, Devon’s performance director, said while the results were ‘disappointing’ the games were beneficial as a learning exercise for an inexperienced side.

“On reflection, we are pleased we played Cornwall first in the qualifying group and now know where we need to be to compete,” said Western.

“We showed glimpses of what this inexperienced team can offer.

“Cornwall showed their strength and maturity in this format, one our players have not experienced that much at this level. 

“In both games, we lost key wickets just when partnerships were starting. With the ball, we did not execute our skills accurately or went into overs without a clear plan.

“We have a fortnight to prepare before playing Wiltshire game and look forward to seeing a noticeable improvement."

For Cornwall captain Paul Smith it was just the reaction he was looking for after a bleak outcome in the 50-over National Counties Trophy competition earlier this month.

After Cornwall finished bottom of their group in the – a defeat by Devon at Redruth sealed their fate – Smith was less than complimentary about his side’s performances.

Speaking immediately after the 50-over defeat at Redruth, Smith said: “A fresh competition will help us reset and bounce back stronger, which we know we can.”

And the team responded with two crushing wins over Devon to get their Twenty20 campaign away to a flying start.

Said Smith: “What a contrast to a fortnight ago at Redruth – we were like a completely different team.

““We improved significantly across all three disciplines and got two important wins on the day, which is always difficult to do.

“We have set ourselves up nicely for a couple of weeks off now and can come back fresh and raring to go against Wiltshire at Werrington.”