Devon skipper Horler sets sights high in three-day format | 'It's tough in a four-game group, but we won two years ago. We were hampered by weather in areas last year so don't feel we're far off'

CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

DEVON get their three-day National Counties Championship campaign under way on Sunday against defending champions Berkshire at Wargrave (11am).

The four-match format in Western Division One means every game has something on it and that league placings can change dramatically.

It is not unusual for three of the five sides in the division to be in the running to win it going into the final round – and for three to be in danger of going down. Devon won it in 2023 when relegation was another possibility on the last day! They went on to lose the play-off final against Eastern champs Buckinghamshire.

Devon dodged the drop on the final day of the 2024 season by beating Oxfordshire at Banbury.

James Horler, the Devon captain, is well aware of the pressures on teams. His preference at this stage is to aim high.

“As always we're looking to top the group and progress to the final in September,” said Horler.

“It's tough in a four-game group, but we won two years ago. We were hampered by weather in areas last year so don't feel we're far off. 

“There is no hiding that we're going to have to put in some performances.”

Berkshire, whose close ties with Middlesex mean they are virtually a semi-professional side, is the toughest of starts for Devon.

Horler is under no illusions about the significance of the opening fixture, but has confidence in his own side’s abilities.

“We really have to beat Berkshire to put ourselves in good contention for the top,” said Horler.

“Red-ball cricket is a long game and any single session can turn the game either way.

“Red-ball cricket has been our strongest suit for a number of years, and we have had some great performances with bat and ball. The key this year will be to do it against the toughest opposition and individuals.

“We have National Counties 100s and ‘five-fers’ throughout the group – I am talking Hamilton, myself, Thompson, Walker, Privett, Read, Stephens and so on – so enough talent there to win us games as a group.”

Horler said the squad is strengthened by the returns of batter Elliot Hamilton and all-rounder Rhys Davies, but will miss opener Sam Elstone, who has a shoulder injury.

Callum Harvey, who bats and bowls spin, featured throughout Devon’s unsuccesful white-ball campaign and did more than enough to earn a place in the three-day squad.

“Cal was a brilliant addition in white-ball and is a great addition to our middle order and spin repertoire,” said Horler.

“I am looking forward to seeing what he can with a red ball?”

And old face back in the fold is batting all-rounder Rhys Davies, whose last appearance for Devon was against Oxfordshire at Sidmouth in 2013.

Davies was part of the ECB’s Elite Development group and featured in the same side as future England players Saqib Mahmood, Matt Parkinson and Mason Crane. He spent 2014 on the MCC Young Cricketers programme – Australian Test batsman Matt Renshaw was a team-mate – before returning to club cricket in the London area.

Davies returned to representative cricket with Devon in white-ball cricket this season and impressed sufficiently to earn a go in the three-day format.

Devon have not replaced professional Calum Haggett, who retired at the end of last season, not that Horler is too concerned.

“We have been much less reliant than other counties in the past on the pro, so I have no worries that this will be a negative,” said Horler.

“Calum is still with us in a coaching role, which has been a massive bonus for us.”