CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING
NOTHING but a win will do for Devon over Oxfordshire in their final NCA Championship game of the season against Oxfordshire – and even that might not be enough to stave-off relegation.
Devon start the three-day NCA Championship game at Banbury on Sunday bottom of the Division One table. They need three more points than Cheshire obtain against Cornwall at Chester Boughton Hall to avoid relegation.
Winning won’t be enough on its own to keep Devon up: they have to outpoint Cheshire too. Losing will almost certainly condemn Devon to the drop, unless Cheshire suffer a heavier defeat. A draw might be enough to save Devon, but only if Cheshire lose or draw.
Devon are bottom of the division they won last season because they have not won any of their first three games – and only had one bonus batting point out from eight available prior to the rained-off, drawn game with Cheshire at Sidmouth earlier this week.
James Horler, the Devon captain, said there was little to be gained from worrying about what has not gone well so far, or the impact of being rained-off with victory in sight against their survival rivals.
“Now is not the time to be putting constraints on what we should or should not be doing, or what might have been had the weather been kinder” said Horler.
“This game is about going out there under pressure and aiming to get the best result we can. If we lose going for a win, so be it.”
Horler said despite the lack of results, Devon’s players have shown big improvements over the season.
“Sam Read has filled the spin-bowling gap left by the (injury) absence of Jamie Stephens – and Kazi Szymanski has put in strong performances over after over for long spells,” said Horler.
“Lawrence Walker, a young face in the side, bats like he has been in the team for ages.”
Batting all-rounder Ben Privett is fit and is added to an otherwise unchanged squad.
All-rounder Privett (back) did not play in the drawn game against Cheshire at Sidmouth earlier this week. Matt Skeemer did and took five wickets in the match, despite picking-up a shoulder injury. Both have been receiving treatment in the past few days and passed fit to play.
“It is a massive game for us and Ben and Matt are massive players,” said Horler.
“We were a seamer short against Cheshire, so having Ben back solves that problem. We need four seamers for this one.
“Matt’s record speaks for itself and it’s great news that he is fit to bowl in a game we have to win.”
Privett’s primary job will be to open the batting and he will probably replace Sam Elstone, who moved-up the order against Cheshire. Back-up in the seam-bowling department is a bonus.
Calum Haggett, the 33-year-old former Somerset and Kent all-rounder who has been Devon’s match professional since 2021, will be retiring from National Counties cricket at the end of this game. He has averaged 46.25 with the bat and 26.16 with his seam bowling during his time in the three-day team.
Horler said Haggett’s influence and cricket wisdom will be missed. He added: “Devon could not have asked for anyone better as a professional and it would be nice to end his time with a win that keeps us up.”
“Calum has been a superb role model to have around the team, always available with tips and advice.
“He is a confident character and that confidence rubbed-off on the team. And the hundred he scored against Cheshire on Monday showed what a good player he is.”
Batters Luke Hayes and Dylan Driscoll return to Oxfordshire’s 13-man for the final Championship fixture of the season having missed the last game to represent Sussex 2nd XI against Gloucestershire.
Nine players in the squad have transitioned into the men’s programme from the Oxfordshire Pathway.
Oxfordshire (from): P S Chahal, D A Dryscoll, J P Harrison, L B Hayes, L T Maslen, G H L O’Connor, H K Rossouw, T O Rossouw, F E H Smith, E B Litvin, M T G Mannering, G G Tait, H R Welsh.
Devon: J D Horler, B H Privett, M W Thompson, S J Elstone, L S Walker, C J Haggett, B H Beaumont, S O Read, H D Southgate, H J Passenger, K B Szymanski, M P Skeemer, M B Shepherd.
Umpires: N Hewitt, B Jones
