Promotion the prize for Devon against Wilts

DEVON will be gunning for promotion against Wiltshire when their final National Counties match of the season when play gets going at Sidmouth tomorrow (11am).

Back-to-back wins over Cornwall the Shropshire took Devon to the top of the Western Division with one match to play.

Devon (53pts) went six points clear of Wales (47) on Tuesday when they completed a 280-run drubbing of Shropshire at Bridgnorth. Wales, who were top, had no game in the five-team division in the last round are now second and hold an eight-point advanover Wiltshire (39).

Going into the final round of fixtures Devon, Wales or Wiltshire can all grab the lone promotion place. Nothing can prevent Devon going up if they take a minimum of 19 points of the 24 available from the game.

Wales have to beat Cornwall at Truro and hope Devon lose. Wiltshire must win and Cornwall win to go up. If either game ends in a draw, or rain prevents a two-innings game being played, calculators might be needed.

Dave Tall, Devon’s director of cricket, is quietly confident his young side will rise to the occasion of what is a play-off in almost every respect.

“Apart from the second morning of our first game against Wales, when we were so poor it cost us the game, we have consistently played good cricket,” said Tall.

“What I hope to see at Sidmouth is more of what we did against Cornwall and Shropshire.”

If it was the second morning against Wales that cost Devon the game against Wales, it is fair to say the second morning against Shropshire was where that match was won.

Paceman Kazi Szymanski took six wickets for 10 runs as Shropshire’s middle order disappeared. Devon led by 248 on first innings, which was game over.

Tall said Szymanski’s knack of turning games in a hurry is an asset to Devon.

“Kazi has the ability few bowlers have of taking two, three or four wickets quickly, which can change a match,” said Tall. “He has proved that on a few occasions now and I hope he keeps doing it.”

Devon’s 13 for Wiltshire included 10 of the 11 who defeated Shropshire. Ed Middleton is the odd one out as he is playing for Gloucestershire II against Glamorgan. In come seamer Dan Goodey, leg-spinner Will Christophers and batter Ben Beaumont.

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