Devizes to stage Wiltshire’s opening game

5:12am Tuesday 15th April 2008

DEVIZES will once again host Wiltshire's opening match of the season.

County cricket returned to Devizes last summer after a 15 year break when Wiltshire officials rewarded improvements made both on and off the pitch to restore fixtures to the club's London Road headquarters.

On Sunday April 20 Wiltshire will host their annual warm-up game against Berkshire for the Marlborough Cup at Devizes and will return the following week for their first competitive game of the summer, their opening Minor Counties Knockout Cup match against Cornwall on Sunday April 27.

Wiltshire continue their Knockout Cup group campaign with an away match against Devon at Exmouth on Sunday May 4, a home match against Berkshire at Trowbridge on Sunday May 18 and a trip to Kington to play Herefordshire on Sunday June 1.

Group winners will be at home in the quarter-finals and if successful Wiltshire will play at Corsham on Sunday June 15 or Wednesday June 18.

The semi-final is on Sunday July 13 (reserve day July 14) and the final will be at Lord's on Wednesday August 6.

Wiltshire start their campaign in the three-day Minor Counties championship with a home match against Cheshire at Trowbridge, starting on Sunday June 8.

The championship final will be on September 7, 8, 9 and 10 on the ground of Western Division winners.

Wiltshire's 2008 fixtures

• Sunday April 20, Berkshire (Marlborough Cup), Devizes
• Sunday April 27, Cornwall (MCCA KO), Devizes
• Sunday May 4, Devon (MCCA KO), Exmouth
• Sunday May 18, Berkshire (MCCA KO), Trowbridge
• Sunday June 1, Herefordshire (MCCA KO), Kington
• Sunday June 8, Cheshire (three-day championship), Trowbridge
• Sunday June 22, Oxfordshire (three-day championship), Challow and Childrey
• Sunday July 6, Shropshire (three-day championship), Bridgnorth
• Sunday July 20, Dorset (three-day championship), Corsham
• Sunday August 3, Devon (three-day championship), South Wiltshire
• Sunday August 17, Berkshire (three-day championship), Falkland.