Showpiece for Shire

Forfarshire take part in the showpiece Cricket Scotland Grand Final trophy for the first time when they face Uddingston at Titwood.

Today’s encounter is the seventh playing of the Grand Final.

Uddingston are making their second appearance in the biggest match of the domestic season, having lost to Arbroath in 2013

Umair Mohammed will be making his last appearance for the Broughty Ferry brigade.

Meanwhile the Eastern play-off game at Scroggie Park between Meigle and Edinburgh will take place today after being rained off last weekend. are up close to them, and we’re asking them to make a play.

“We have got to look at it from a positive aspect and see where we can get to.”

Burns put on 141 for the third wicket with captain Joe Root (71) in England’s highest partnership of the series. Both were removed by Josh Hazlewood late in the evening session, with the seamer ending the day with four for 48.

Australia were frustrated for a large part of the day by Burns and Root but, after hitting back with three wickets late in the day, Hazlewood is confident the tourists can tighten their grip today.

He said: “Obviously we’re pretty happy with where we’re at.

“I think the weather is pretty good for the next two days – two long days of cricket, 98 overs both days.” Australia 497-8 dec (S P D Smith 211, M Labuschagne 67, T D Paine 58, M A Starc 54 no). England 200-5 (R J Burns 81, J E Root 71; J R Hazlewood 4-48)

England First Innings Close

BA Stokes ........................................ not out 7 JM Bairstow ................................... not out 2 Extras ............................................... lb6 nb2 8 Total 5 wkts (74 overs) ........................ 200

Starc 0/41;Hazlewood 4/48; Cummins 1/37; Lyon 0/68