Ones to Watch: Elliot Hamilton

Devon batter Elliot Hamilton could hardly be in better form going into the Durant Cricket National Counties Championship final against Buckinghamshire at West Bromwich Dartmouth. 

The 20-year-old left-hander from Plympton was imperious form in Devon’s final Western Division One match against Herefordshire at Sidmouth as he followed up a career-best 154 not out in the first innings with an unbeaten half-century in the second to set up their declaration. 

Those runs took Hamilton’s aggregate in the competition this season to 288 in five innings and he missed the opening match against Berkshire through injury. 

Hamilton was awarded his county cap on the first day of the Herefordshire match, a public acknowledgement that he is now regarded as a key member of a talented and developing side. 

He was given his county debut two years ago, initially as an opener and with mixed results. But he had the backing of Devon’s director of cricket David Tall who believed that, given time, Hamilton would come good. 

Hamilton was moved down to four in the order last season and his maiden half century came in the second innings of a narrow defeat by Wales NC at Abergavenny in the opener. 

A maiden century – 137 – followed in the victory over Shropshire at Bridgnorth where Hamilton shared in a third wicket partnership of 289 with James Horler – a Devon record for any wicket – and gave a hint of what was to follow this season.