Skipper Neil Hancock has admitted Devon need more than a few favours to have any chance of winning this season's Western Division title.

Devon start a three-day game against Cheshire at Nantwich tomorrow, halfway up the 10-team table with 18 points to make up on leaders Dorset. It was only 16 points until two were knocked off for a slow over rate in the game against Wiltshire at Exmouth two weeks ago.

The unusual format of the championship – teams only play six of their nine rivals ever season – means chances to claw back points can be limited. Dorset, Berkshire, Cheshire and Shropshire are the teams above Devon with two games to go. The only one they will play is Cheshire.

Said Hancock: "The first thing we have to do is win both our games – this one and Oxfordshire at Sidmouth in a couple of weeks time.

"It would be a big help to us if Berkshire and Shropshire have a low-scoring draw in the current round of fixtures. Cornwall can help by beating Dorset, or better still drawing. "It seems ironic in what is one of the best summers weather wise for years we have lost two games to rain. We were well placed to win both of them. We can't change that and have to make the best of what we've got.

Devon were rained off against Cornwall at Torquay and Wiltshire at Exmouth. Had either game gone the distance to a win, they would be one point behind Dorset with two to play.

Devon had intended to stick with the 12 who were on top for two days against Wiltshire at Exmouth before rain robbed them on the third of the chance to complete an outright win.

Since the squad was announced this time last week, opening batsman Chris Mole has dropped out due to a hand injury and former captain Dawson has withdrawn due to work commitments.

It is the first time Dawson has missed a championship match with Devon since returning from Gloucestershire at the end of 1999. He has played in 69 consecutive games during that period.

"I couldn't get the time off work, but will be available again for Oxfordshire at Sidmouth in two weeks' time," said Dawson.

Seb Benton will open up with Matt Thompson – Devon's fifth opening partnership in as many games this season – while Andy Kingdon is in if an extra batter needed. The hard-hitting left-hander from Bovey Tracey is averaging more than 60 in Premier cricket this term. If Kingdon plays he will be following in the footsteps of his dad Malcolm, who featured for the county as a swing bowler in the late 70s and early 1980s.

Devon have only played once before at Nantwich, in 1983 under the captaincy of Barrie Matthews. Exeter's Gary Wallen scored 112 in Devon's first innings of a drawn game.

Devon : N Hancock (Sidmouth), A Allen (Budleigh), J Bess (Sidmouth), I Bishop (Budleigh), C Bradley (B Tracey), S Benton (Paignton), R Holman (Exeter), D Lye (Exmouth), A Kingdon (B Tracey ), C Metters (Exmouth), M Thompson (Torquay).