Cheshire v Devon , quarter final, this Sunday

Cheshire v Devon, NCCA KO Trophy Quarter Final, 50 overs, 11.00 am, Sunday 30 June 2023, Oxton CC. Admission free, bar and refreshments available all day. Directions here

Cheshire take on Devon this Sunday (30 June) in the KO Trophy quarter-final at Oxton having finished top of Group 4 despite only playing two games.

Wins against Dorset and Wiltshire secured Harry Dearden’s side their spot, looking to equal their 2018 achievement of winning the trophy.

“I’m really pleased with how the side have knuckled down and gelled so well,” said Cheshire Head of Cricket, Pete Babbage.

“We set things up nicely down in Dorchester with a decent total that always had us ahead on net run rate (294 total included an unbeaten century from Sam Perry) and then despite the disappointment of fruitless trips to Hyde (v Hertfordshire) and Panteg (v Wales NC), we were up for the challenge of Wiltshire and even managed to break our KO Trophy run record.

“Where players haven’t been available, others have come into the side seemlessly and Harry’s brought a real positive feel to the squad.”

Babbage highlighted too the energy of the side and the overall mentality. “Gavin Colebourn has stepped in as coach and been putting the players through their paces during the games, linking well with the captain. He’s made a real difference. On the field we’ve seen some great performances too - Kevin Carrroll’s knock (against Wiltshire) brought a new dimension to the side and we’ve a number of bowling options with players challenging for positions. Apart from the usual issues of club calls and injuries, we’ve also been victims of our own success with Alderley Edge’s Perry and Bowdon’s Rob Lord picked up by Lancashire and Nottinghamshire respectively. That said, we’re well equipped in all areas with good back-up and some really promising youngsters being nurtured through Stewart Macleod and Colebourn’s 2nd XI. So when everybody’s available, it’s a real challenge to pick that first eleven!

"However, that’s a nice problem to have I guess and it’s important we try our best to keep everything on an even keel and put out the best side possible each week.”

Cheshire take on a Devon side who made a late charge and eventually won the Western Division Championship Trophy in 2023 as well as obviously prospering in the KO Trophy.

“Rest assured, we won’t under-estimate them," concluded Babbage. “We’ve had some great scraps with them over the years and we’re looking forward to the game as I’m sure they are.  It’ll be tough.”