Devon Cricket Board - Cumbria T20 win highlight of festival

ESCA FESTIVAL, KINGS COLLEGE, TAUNTON

Celebration time as a wicket falls in the game against Surrey

DEVON began the festival at King’s College with a tough opening game against Hampshire.

The cause wasn’t helped when Devon lost the toss and were asked to bat on a wet wicket with rain in the air.

The battle was made even harder when openers Harvey Sargent and Noah Wright went without putting a run on the board in the face of some quick Hampshire bowling.

Finlay Marks (21) and Billy Rudolph (24) dug in to give some hope for Devon as they put on 40 for the third wicket.

After they went, however, it was pretty much downhill for the batting side with only Harry Ward (left), who scored 16 from 59 balls, showing any kind of resistance as Devon were skitttled out for just 113 in the 48th over.

Ward gave Devon a glimmer of hope with his leg-breaks and a return of 2 for 31 from five overs but Hampshire eventually made light work of the total which was never going to be enough, winning in the 22nd over with the loss of just three wickets.

Devon 113 (Marks 21, Rudolph 24), Hampshire 114-3 (Ward 2-31). Hampshire won by six wickets.

Some harsh words and home truths were dished out to the squad after the poor performance against Hampshire the day before – and they responded in brilliant fashion giving Lancashire a real run for their money.

Devon won the toss and asked Lancashire to bat on the small pitch six at King’s.

A spirited fielding performance backed up with some tight and straight bowling had Lancashire on the back foot.

Two catches and a stumping from wicketkeeper Kingsley Latham led the way. So, too, did fine spells from quickies Will Christophers (3-38 from 10 overs) and Ollie Reed (1-15 from 10).

There was an edge to Devon in the field for the first time as Lancashire were held to 216-9 from their 50 overs.

Opener Noah Wright’s treatment of the Lancashire opening attack was a joy to behold with an array of drives to all parts of the ground.

Unfortunately, he was out caught behind, chasing a wide one for 33 but by that time he had put on 55 for the first wicket with Finlay Marks.

Marks went on to anchor the Devon innings with 36 from 97 balls. Christophers (17) tried to up the momentum but the rest of the batting failed to fire and Devon were bowled out for 177 in a game they deserved to win and certainly not lose.

The transformation from the Hampshire game had been remarkable.

Lancashire 216-9 (Christophers 3-38), Devon 177 (Wright 33, Marks 36). Lancashire won by 39 runs.

The game against Cumbria was rain-reduce to a 20-20 game and a big test for the players to see if they could fulfil the promise and sustain the improvement showed in the previous day against Lancashire – and they did with our first win of the tournament.

Devon were asked to bat and got off to the worst possible start when they lost openers Sargent and Wright and third-in Marks cheaply.

Billy Rudolph (20) and Jack Lockwood (34) turned things around for Devon, who settled on 121-8 from their allotted overs.

Will Christophers (3-8) and Rudolph (2-11) made early in-roads into the Cumbrian batting. Then Cumbria looked as if they may be in for a shout until Pieter Keenan (2-22) and Marks (1-10) turned the game Devon’s way. With the support of some spirited fielding Devon bowled out Cumbria for 104 with two balls to spare to win by 17 runs.

Devon 121-8 (Rudolph 20, Lockwood 34), Cumbria 104 (Christophers 3-8, Rudolph 2-11, Keenan 2-22). Devon won by 17 runs.

It was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show for game number four against Surrey on the number one pitch at King’s.

Devon won the toss and asked Surrey to bat. Pieter Keenan (2-26) was the pick of the Devon bowlers with some useful contributions from Will Christophers (1-13) and Billy Rudolph (0-23).

Surrey were allowed to gain momentum towards the end of their innings and a total of 170-4 from 40 overs was always going to be a challenge, albeit achievable.

Openers Sargent and Wright found the going tough as the Surrey bowlers got on top from the word go.

Suddenly Devon were 28-4 and well off the pace. Marks (21) tried to move things along and there was a contribution lower down the order from Ben Phillips (26no).

But Devon found themselves up against the run rate clock and lost wickets at the wrong times to finishing disappointingly on 81-8 - well beaten and not even enough runs even for a losing draw.

Surrey 170-4 (Keenan 2-26), Devon 81-8 (Marks 21, Phillips 26). Surrey won by 89 runs.

The final game against Worcestershire was cancelled due to bad weather.

Reflecting on the festival and season, manager Jim Parker said: “There was some highs and lows which was a reflection of the season.

“But I and coach Julian Wyatt have worked with this group of lads for two years and they have come on in leaps and bounds, both as a squad and as individuals.

“They have been a pleasure to work with and we wish them all the very best for the future.

“Some of them have shown the potential to go on and become very good cricketers. Their attitude has been first class.”