Devon skipper Horler upbeat despite patchy start to reply | 'Looking to press on, get a lead and make inroads into them later today'

DEVON have got some repair work to do on day two of the National Counties Championship game against Cornwall at Cornwood.

When stumps were drawn at the end of day one, Devon were 28 for two in reply to Cornwall’s first-innings total of 286 all out. They had been none for two after four overs.

Devon captain James Horler, one of the batsmen out overnight, remains confident there time and talent left to get in front on first innings.

“Not the best of starts in reply – two balls that jumped of the pitch – but Cornwall’s seamers continuously put the ball in the same place, which made it difficult against the new ball,” said Horler.

“Looking to press on, get a lead and make inroads into them later today.”

Cornwall appeared to be heading for an early exit after slowing to 140 for seven in the hour after lunch on day one, but recovered thanks to a stand of 76 between Will MacVicar and Jake Rowe, both of whom made 46.

Horler said it was ‘disappointing’ not to bowl out Cornwall sooner, but Devon did plenty to praise.

“We bowled and fielded well, especially the spinners to peg Cornwall back either side of lunch,” said Horler.

“Credit to our spinners for a top performance on a hot day, on a pitch which is conducive for them, but not as bad as the scorecard said an hour after lunch when they were 140 for seven.

“Yes it was disappointing to let Cornwall bat the 90 overs. But in credit to them, their lower order batted well.”