Devon to meet foes Cornwall in opener

FORMER Somerset and Kent allrounder Calum Haggett will skipper Devon in tomorrow’s T20 group opener against Cornwall at Werrington.

Jamie Stephens, who is Devon’s usual captain, is unavailable on Sundays during May when the T20 cup is being played out this season.

Matt Thompson, who had two stints as three-day captain in the past, would usually skipper the side in Stephens’ absence, as he did for much of last season.

Thompson has stepped away from T20 cricket this season due to work commitments, which is where Haggett comes in.

Haggett joined Devon last season as the match-day professional having left Kent at the end of the 2019 season.

Devon have been pooled with Wiltshire, Cornwall, Dorset and Herefordshire in qualifying group. The four group winners will then roceed to the finals day at Tring CC in Hertfordshire at the end of May.

Cornwall already have one round out of the way in the competition, which was against Herefordshire at Brockhampton last Sunday.

Herefordshire were beaten by one wicket in the first game of the day thanks largely to Ben Ellis hitting a rapid 35 not out to see them home with five balls to spare.

Cornwall lost the afternoon engagement when they were bowled out for 87 chasing Herefordshire’s imposing total of 179 for two.

The Cornwall selectors have made two changes to their matchday 12 for the appointment with Devon. Scott Kellow and Tom Dinnis replace Kian Burns and Jonny Ludlam.

Cornwall: SA Harvey (Truro), Ateeq Javid, P S Smith (Castle Bromwich), C B F Purchase (Penzance), C D Lello (Hayle), T G Sturgess (Swarkestone), S P Kellow (Falmouth), J A Turpin (Wadebridge), B A Ellis (Twickenham), T J Dinnis (Penzance), C M Johnson (Redruth). 12thL L T O Brenton (Callington).

Devon (squad): C J Haggett (Bridgwater), J D Horler (Exmouth), J W Baird (Sidmouth), B A Beaumont (Cornwood/ Bristol), A J Small (Sandford), E H Hamilton (Plympton), M P Skeemer (Cornwood), S O Read (Exeter), E J Staddon (Cornwood), D J Goodey (Bashley Rydall), E W O Middleton (Taunton Deane), K B Szymanski (Swansea), F Sabir (West Bromwich Dartmouth).