Read (pictured) strokes maiden Devon ton (and some) to add fuel to day two revival against Cornwall | Key stand of 127 with Skeemer bats Devon back into game | 'Sam’s maiden hundred in National Counties cricket was a great mix of composure and power hitti
CONRAD SUTCLIFFE AT CORNWOOD
SAM Read brightened-up a stop-start day two against Cornwall at Cornwood with a maiden century that ensured it will be all square going into the last three sessions.
Devon, 28 for two overnight in reply to Cornwall’s first-innings total of 286, were all out for 301 after a battle against, bad weather, bad light and good bowling to get there.
A seventh-wicket stand of 127 between Read and Matt Skeemer contributed significantly to reviving Devon’s fortunes after they had been 84 for five.
Three stoppages meant 161 minutes of playing time was lost, which helped neither side, although half-an hour was tacked on before close of play. An early start on the last day will claw back another 30 minutes.
Whether there is enough time to produce a result will depend on captains James Horler and Will MacVicar being prepared to lose to win. If neither takes any risks, or does not dangle a carrot or two, a draw is the likely outcome.
Without the efforts of opener Elliot Hamilton, Read and Skeemer, the least likely outcome would be a Devon win.
Tim Western Devon CCC’s performance director, said Read’s maiden century was crucial on more than one level.
“Sam’s maiden hundred in National Counties cricket was a great mix of composure and power hitting,” said Western.
“This is a landmark innings for Sam as an all-rounder in this team. I am sure we will see more significant contributions from him this season and in the future.
“Sam went it in a difficult position at 84 for five and swung the momentum of the innings back towards us. His partnership with Matt Skeemer – and two late wickets before the close – has put us in a good position to push for a win in this match.”
Read was quick to share the credit around for Devon’s recovery, stressing: “Matt Skeemer's knock was very important.”
On his own role in the fightback, Read said: “I was just pleased to contribute with the bat as I feel I haven’t always pulled my weight in that department in the past.”
Cornwall were 18 for two at the close with nightwatchman Ellis Whiteford just out to Jamie Stephens. George Greenway had already accounted for opener Karl Leathley.
For all practical purposes Cornwall are three runs ahead with eight wickets in hand going into the third and final day. It could not be much closer.
Hamilton, nine not out overnight, saw Lawrence Walker (27), debutant Luke Medlock (17) and Callum Harvey all depart during the morning session. He went straight after lunch for a typically obdurate 54 scored off 109 balls faced during nearly three hours in the middle.
Read was already in by then – he and Hamilton had put on 40 to start repairing the damage associated with being 84 for five – and there he stayed for two minutes shy of three hours while making 130.
Although Read likes to get on with it – singles seem to be for cissies in his view of the world – he adapted his game to suit the situation. So did Skeemer, whose solid knock of 31 off 131 balls enhanced the enterprise in a big way. That is what time cricket is all about: using it wisely.
Cornwall captain Will MacVicar tried partnership breakers Alex Blake and Jake Rowe in search of a wicket. That didn’t work! The stand kept growing. Read did have one ‘life’ in the early 90s when he was dropped at deep mid-wicket, but nothing else that resembled a blot on the copybook.
Skeemer was first to go, the second of four poles for Max Tryfanos (4-65), followed by George Greenway to the same bowler.
Tryfonos then accounted for Read caught behind. He had faced 107 balls, of which seven had gone for four and eight straight over the ropes.
Opening bowler Ben Ellis was brought back into the attack after that and needed just two balls to dispatch tail-ender Craig Penberthy to finish with impressive innings figures of four for 39 from 17.2 overs.
