Hamilton (pictured) returns to Devon fold with unbeaten ton against Gloucestershire YCs | 'It was great to see Elliot back wearing a blue lion and his hundred showed skill and desire' – Tim Western
ELLIOT Hamilton marked his Devon return after a 12-month sabbatical with a century for the Lions Development side in a seven-wicket win over Gloucestershire Young Cricketers.
Hamilton, whose chose to step away from county cricket this time last year, was a regular in all three formats of the game for Devon.
And it’s likely it won’t be long before he is back in the full county side again after showing his appetite for run-scoring remains undiminished in the 50-over match in Bristol.
Tim Western, Devon’s performance director, certainly took notice of Hamilton’s application.
“It was great to see Elliot Hamilton back wearing a blue lion and his hundred showed skill and desire,” said Western.
Plymouth’s Teddy Haffenden did his county prospects no harm with a rapid 51 that closed out the game with more than nine overs to spare.
Matt Whalley, a Mount Wise team-mate of Haffenden’s, again showcased his potential during a century stand with Hamilton.
Gloucestershire were all out for 249 in the last of their 50 overs on the Clifton College ground.
Skipper Zaman Shafi made 51 and Arthur Trotman hit 71 down the order as they tried to accelerate after the drinks break.
Keeping the runs down was hard work for Devon, but Western was pleased with what he saw.
“Charlie Ward picked (2-50) up a wicket with the second ball of the game,” said Western. “Charlie and the other seamers – Tom Hodgson (2-32) and Jon Triner (2-23) – bowled cleverly, with variations.
“Gloucestershire recovered well and reached 249 but, with a fast outfield, we felt that was around 50-75 below par.”
Hamilton may have been the main man when Devon chased, but it was far from a one-man show.
Before Hamilton retired at 186 for three at the end of the over that took him to his century, he had put on 108 for the third wicket with Whalley (46).
The run hunt continued with Haffenden belting a 29-ball half-century to win the match
Haffenden launched Jonty Taylor for six to clinch the result and bring up his half-century at the same time.
Said Western: “All of our batters hit the ball powerfully and the running between the wickets was a notch up from the Somerset Academy game.
“Teddy Haffenden finished the run chase impressively, hitting 51 off just 27 balls.”
Hamilton and Haffenden are likely to feature in the team management’s thoughts for Sunday’s Twenty20 double-header against Wiltshire at Salisbury. Having lost twice-over against Cornwall in round one, a win over Wiltshire is crucial to qualifying for the Super12 stage of the competition.
Devon Lions' next game is against Bovey Tracey on Sunday, June 22 as part of that club's 175th anniversary.
Devon Lions at Clifton College before they played a 50-over game against Gloucestershire Young Cricketers. Back (left to right): Mike Cherry (manager), Matt Whalley, Akshay Bharadwaj, Tom Mitch, Jon Triner, Tom Hodgson, Noah Musikanth, Oli Gribble, Tim Western (coach); front: Elliot Hamilton, Charlie Ward, Jack Ford (captain), Teddy Haffenden, Luke Medlock
