Devon and Wiltshire battle it out until last over ... twice! | One win each in gripping day of T20 cricket at Instow

CONRAD SUTCLIFFE IN THE SANDHILLS
Scorecards

DEVON were involved in two last-over dramas in their Dojo Twenty20 double-headed date against Wiltshire at Instow.

Ben Privett was the hero of a two-run win over Wiltshire in the first of the day’s two fixtures.

Wiltshire needed nine to win off Privett’s last over, got down to the final three balls requiring five and only got one of them. Three run-outs – two engineered by bowler Privett – scuppered Wilts.

It was a remarkable win as far as Devon were concerned as Wiltshire 49 for one after four overs, chasing 115 to win.

Devon set Wiltshire 155 to win in the second game of the day and were staring down the barrel of defeat when the chase reached 116 for five with five overs to go.

Privett and Callum Harvey slowed things down sufficiently to leave a familiar scenario of nine to win from the final over, again bowled by Privett.

A first-ball boundary swung the pendulum Wiltshire’s way. They won it by four wickets with a ball to go when Alfie Johnson launched Privett for six into the pavilion car park.

Sandy Allen, the Devon coach, said the team found a way to win game one but not game two, even though they probably performed better.

“We did not bat very well in the first game, but learned a few things about adapting to the conditions, which we put into practice in the second,” said Allen. 

“Had you told me half way through their 19th over we would win I would have been surprised.

“Ben Privett’s last over – and the way he kept his cool for the two run-outs – won it for us.

“We batted really well in the second game, when Jamie Matravers, Tavistock’s Rhys Davies and Sam Read gave us a platform to win it.

“But when we bowled we were slow to learn you cannot keep bowling in a batsman’s favourite slot where he likes to whack it and expect to get away with it.”

Privett (28), Seb Linnitt (40) and Luke Medlock with a run-a-ball 18 were Devon’s leading run getters in a first-game total of 114 all out. Sam Freestone (1-17), Archie Fairfax-Ross (2-19) and Ed Young (2-14) bowled tidily for Wiltshire.

Privett – two for 11 of four overs – Callum Harvey, whose four-over figures of one for 17 including a maiden and Read (2-11), slowed Wiltshire after a Le Mans start inspired by opener Tom Cheater (35).

Johnson, Fairfax-Ross and Freestone were the batters run out in the frantic final over.

Matravers with 75 not out, Davies (12) and Read (38) were the principal batters in Devon’s 154 for six second time around.

Cheater (55) was at it again for Wilts, aided and abetted down the order by Will Brown (42no). He was in at the end when Johnson won it.

Pick of the bowlers for Devon with two for 18 off three overs was Matt Whalley.

Devon move on to a double header against Dorset at Wimborne this Sunday.

Group Four Results

Instow. Devon 114 (Seb Linnitt 40), Wiltshire 112. Devon won by two runs.
Match Two: Devon 154-6 (James Matravers 75), Wiltshire 157-6 (Tom Cheater 55, William Brown 42 not out). Wiltshire won by four wickets.

Eastnor. Herefordshire 96 (Mo Abbas 4-19), Dorset 100-1 (Will Tripcony 60 not out). Dorset won by nine wickets.
Match Two: Herefordshire 206-7 (Luke Tulacz 73, Olly Cox 48, James Brehaut 3-50), Dorset 210-5 (Joe Eckland 58, Mo Abbas 53, Will Tripcony 41). Dorset won by five wickets.