Mitch’s Scots pitch
Rao aims for two international appearances
Mitchell Rao is bidding for a dream Scotland double after being named in the squad for games against England and Pakistan.
The Prestwick spin king celebrated with an unbeaten knock of 45 to help last season’s Scottish champions to their first league win of the season.
Rao, 21, is a provisional squad of 24 for the games at The Grange. The one- day match against England on June 10 is already a sell- out while tickets still remain for the T20 internationals against Pakistan on June 12 and 13.
Rao didn’t manage a wicket as Prestwick restricted Dumfries to 168- 8 off 50 overs at the Henry Thow Oval on Saturday. Sachin Chaudhary took 4- 13 while new Aussie recruit Jacob Steber claimed 3- 19 off only six overs.
In reply, Prestwick clinched a six wicket win at 170- 4 in 38.3 overs with Tom Fleet ( 25 not out) supporting Rao at the end.
Openers Shahzad Rafiq and Fazal Jawad went for 19 and 26 respectively, but Fraser Macdonald laid the cornerstone with 40 before being bowled.
The win lifts Prestwick into third place behind Ferguslie and West of Scotland ahead of Saturday’s trip to bottom dogs Greenock.
On Sunday, Prestwick will try again to play their Scottish Cup tie away to Arbroath United after last weekend’s tie was off.
The St Ninians XI beat Dean Park by 24 runs at Renfrew. David Carlyle ( 50) and Kevin Lawler ( 49) helped them to 174 all out in the 49th over after at one stage being 112- 1.
Richard Bartsch took five wickets and Phil Stafford ( 4- 19) to dismiss the hosts for 150 in the 45th over. On Saturday, they host Whitehaugh.
The McCulloch Cup opener against Ayr was washed out last week. Tonight ( Wednesday), Prestwick entertain GHK.
Summer coaching for under 11s continues on Sundays from 10am to 11am.
It was a disappointing weekend for Ayr as they fell to their first league defeat and were knocked out of the Scottish Cup.
They suffered a heavy defeat at Ferguslie on Saturday after the home team had won the toss and made 242- 5.
Ayr struggled in their reply and were skittled out for just 68.
Grange were the visitors on Sunday to Cambusdoon in the first round of the Scottish Cup.
Ayr batted first and posted 2208 with Anwar Hafeez ( 95 no) top scoring and receiving good support from Andi McElnea ( 33).
Ex- Scotland internationalist Gordon Goudie ( 43) and Ryan Flannigan ( 89 no) put the Ayr bowlers to the sword in reply.
A couple of quick wickets gave Ayr a glimmer of hope, but ex- Scotland captain Preston Mommsen ( 38 no) joined Flannigan to see the visitors to a comfortable victory.
At Cambusdoon on Saturday, Meiklriggs completed a Paisley double defeating the Cambusdoon XI in the Reserve League fixture.
Batting first they scored 324- 5 against a young inexperienced attack, a total which proved too much for the home team as they were bowled out for 169.
Richie Borland ( 60) and Callum Henderson ( 31) top scored.
This week sees Ayr host West of Scotland on Saturday in the Western Union and tonight ( Wed) it is Irvine in the McCulloch Cup.
The Cambusdoon XI take on Partick in the Reserve League on Saturday and Torrance House on Tuesday in the Western Cup.