Devon playing to stay in race

NOTHING less than a win will do for Devon when they take on Wales at Exmouth starting tomorrow.

Devon are in a must-win situation against Wales as they are lagging a long way behind in the Western Division stakes. They are 26 points behind leaders Cornwall, who will install themselves as hot favourites for win the title for the first time if they get the better of second-bottom Oxfordshire at Wantage.

Devon opening bowler Ian Bishop said there was no room for error from now on.

“We need to win all of our last three games – and even that might not be enough,” said Bishop, the former Bovey Tracey pacer who is now captain at Sidmouth.

“Having to play Cornwall next helps, but only if we win this match before we go to Truro.

“Cornwall and Dorset are the teams to catch – and we can’t do a thing about Dorset now as that game has been and gone and ended in a draw.

“Wales will be difficult for us as they have close links with Glamorgan these days and when there is no 2nd XI game at Cardiff the side can be loaded with contracted players.

“We will give it our best shot and if Cornwall slip up and Dorset don’t win at Cheshire then we are in with a chance.”

Devon’s season has been blighted by selection problems from start to finish and, yet again, the side that starts isn’t an ideal one, although there is only one actual change to the team that watched it rain for two days at Shifnal.

Opening batsman Dan Bowser has broken one of his big toes since Devon’s last game away to Shropshire and he is out of contention for a month or so.

Bowser filled in to good effect opening the batting in the absence of Chris Mole due to injury. As Mole is fit again for this match, Bowser’s absence won’t be so keenly felt.

Mole will be opening for the first time with Paignton’s Seb Benton, who has broken into the full county side during the time he has been out injured.

Sidmouth paceman Adam Dibble and Exmouth’s James Burke are playing for Somerset, so Devon can’t call on either of them.

Budleigh Salterton’s Rob Newman was shortlisted for selection, but has cried off as he had a holiday booked.

Bradninch’s Gary Chappell has been in the 12 for the last couple of games, but is another who is required elsewhere. Chappell has been competing with South Devon’s Chris Metters for the left-armer’s place, but Metters seems to have the edge as far as the selectors are concerned.

Wales’ close links with Glamorgan are reflected in their selections for the game. Seven members of the side have played for Glamorgan at 1st or 2nd XI level this season.

Two more players have had first class experience in universities cricket with Durham and Loughborough.

A player to watch out for in the Wales side is batsman Tom Maynard, the son of former Glamorgan and England star Matthew Maynard.

Maynard announced himself on the Minor Counties circuit earlier in the season with hundreds in both innings of the game against a Wiltshire side containing Somerset’s ex-England quick bowler Andy Caddick.

Teams:

Devon: R I Dawson, A P W Allen, I E Bishop (all Budleigh Salterton), D F Lye, T S Anning (both Exmouth), R J Holman (Weston), J J Bess (Sidmouth), S R Benton (Paignton), C L Metters (South Devon), C M Mole (Cuckfield), S Barlow (Sidmouth).

Wales (from): H T Waters, W D Bragg, B J Wright, T L Maynard, M P O’Shea, R E Watkins, O R James, A J Norman, A J Jones, J C Glover, M Reed, R F Evans.

Umpires: P W Matten & M L Brown.