Devon aiming to complete Twenty20 campaign on winning note | 'We will be pushing for two wins at Eastnor and continuing the positive momentum from the last match' - Tim Western

CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

DEVON wind-up their NCA Twenty20 pool programme tomorrow (Sunday) with a double-header against Herefordshire in the grounds of Eastnor Castle.

Devon’s prospects of qualifying for the Super12 round were already slender before they had two points deducted for a registration error was picked-up after they played Dorset in round three.

With only two points left in the bag and four to play for, Devon’s best outcome is six points in total. As the sides above Devon mostly have games in hand and have at least six points already, there isn’t a plausible scenario in which they can qualify for the Super12s.

A feature of Devon’s Twenty20 campaign has been a clutch of changes from match-to-match, which continues into the final round. Only six of the 17 players used have appeared in all six matches so far.

Four players – Tom Hodgson, Seb Linnitt, Matt Whalley and previously ever-present Callum Harvey – are absent for one reason or another.

Fin Hill, who did not feature against Dorset, was picked for the Eastnor trip. He has since dropped out with a hand injury.

No coaches like too much disruption, Devon’s Tim Western sees it in a more positive light.

“Despite some unavailabilities and injuries, we continue to have a strong core of players, who are developing thanks to the experience they are gaining,” said Western.

“It is pleasing to bring in quality players such as Luke Medlock, Rhys Davies and Charlie Ward into the group. 

“Luke is in fine form scoring 98 for Devon Lions on Sunday against Bovey. 

“Charlie is an exciting all-rounder with now lots of Premier Division and overseas experience.

“Rhys has been pushing for a return to play for the county and it'll be great to have him back wearing the blue lion.”

Ward is the son of former Devon all-rounder Tim Ward, who made more than 50 appearances between 1987-97.

Davies was a Devon regular during 2013 before being invited to Lord’s as part of the MCC Young Cricketers programme. He stayed in London after leaving MCC, but has since returned to Devon and plays for Tavistock.

Left-arm spinner Shepherd played in all three formats for Devon last season, but lost his place in the last month of the summer.

Although Devon’s results have been less than favourable, Western believes benefits have been accrued.

“We have played some good cricket in the T20 games so far. Players and the captain are learning quickly in the matches,” said Western.

“We will be pushing for two wins at Eastnor and continuing the positive momentum from the last match.”

In the absence of work-tied skipper Matt Pardoe, Herefordshire will be led for the first time by 20-year-old Ollie Walker.

As well as Pardoe, Hasan Mahmood and Callum Bennett also drop out. This means returns for opener Sinel Gunarathne and left-arm spinner Ben Clarke as well as a debut for all-rounder Cyrus Shafi.

Herefordshire: Ollie Walker, Seth Essenhigh, Sinel Gunarathne, Cyrus Shafi, Luke Tulacz, Luke Powell, James Rudge, Ollie Langford, Imaad Mahmood, Ben Clarke, Ben Clements.

Devon (squad): Harry Passenger, Luke Medlock, Lawrence Walker, Ben Privett, Sam Read, Jon Triner, Adam Small, George Addy, Max Shepherd, James Theedom, Charlie Ward, Rhys Davies.