DEVON debutant Anthony Griffiths will quietly slip back into the shadows again despite doing everything asked of him.

DEVON debutant Anthony Griffiths will quietly slip back into the shadows again despite doing everything asked of him - and more - in the drawn game against Berkshire, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.The former Sidmouth captain was called into the side travelling to Newbury at the ripe old age of 36 to solve a batting problem at the top of the order.Injuries, non-availabilities and the absence of form here and there left Devon without a partner for regular opener Chris Mole. Griffiths got the nod, featured in stands of 77 and 66 for the first wicket in both innings - and acted as Mole's runner when the punchy left-hander suffered a groin strain while batting.Devon have had Griffiths in mind for some time as a possible county player as his form in league cricket has been consistent for years.Griffiths was happy to get the opportunity to play at the next level up, but said he wasn't anticipating a long run in the side."Any time they ask me to play I will be there, but at my age you have to be realistic," said Griffiths, who played age-group cricket for Devon at U16 and U19 level while a youngster at Ottery St Mary."If younger players are available it is only right and proper that they should play and I would not want to be the reason a youngster didn't get his chance. If I can stay in for a few more games, great. If not, I won't have any complaints."Having said that, it was a tremendous opportunity for me and I hope I justified the county's decision to select me."I knew next to nothing about Minor Counties cricket before this game and it was a real eye opener going out to bat against what I am told is one of the best attacks on the circuit."The best way I can describe it is like facing Budleigh Salterton's bowling attack every week. They have more county-standard bowlers in their side than anyone else in our division, other than we do at Sidmouth - and I don't have to face them!"Once you get past the first change bowlers in the Premier and A Division in Devon the bowling is okay but not great. At Minor Counties level almost every ball can get you out."l Devon turn their attention to retaining the Minor Counties KO Cup this Sunday when they make the long trek to Leek to face old rivals Staffordshire in the quarter-finals of the competition they won by beating Berkshire at Lord's last year.Aditya Rai, the Indian-born spinner who has been cleared to play for Devon and Budleigh Salterton this season and made his debut against Berkshire as well, is added to the squad.Also in is Sidmouth seamer Adam Dibble, who is dual registered with Devon and Somerset this summer.