The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Quality’ Wallace shining for Shire
Scott Cameron believes Scotland’s loss is Forfarshire’s gain after Craig Wallace starred in the Forthill side’s nine-wicket Eastern Premier cricket win over Falkland at Scroggie Park on Saturday.
Wicket-keeper batsman Wallace raced to 82 from only 34 deliveries as Shire reached their 139 target inside 15 overs.
It followed a similar effort against Stewart’s Melville the previous week but Wallace, who has 93 caps, was omitted from the Scotland squad to compete in World Cup League 2 in the US later this month.
Cameron said: “Craig is unlucky not to be in the Scotland squad but he knows he just needs to keep performing for us and he’ll be knocking on the door.
“He’s a quality player and sets the tempo and the standards for the rest of the team – I’m delighted he’s playing for us.
“Craig is in great form just now – he’s hitting the ball so well which is very entertaining to watch.”
While Wallace was eventually dismissed, opening partner Rory Johnston saw his side safely home with a composed 39no.
Earlier, top-flight newcomers Falkland again struggled to compile a substantial total despite good starts from Scotland U19 batter Lyle Robertson, who hit 34, and young Aussie Charles Cassell, who top-scored with 39 in a total of 138.
Scotland spinner Michael Leask was the pick of the Shire attack with 4-23 while Lewis James claimed 2-19.
Cameron added: “It was a good victory and hopefully we can build on it.”
Arbroath’s difficult start to the season continued with a disappointing 86run defeat to Stoneywooddyce at Lochlands.
Having gone down to a star-studded Carlton the previous week, the Lichties had high hopes of recording their first win of the campaign against a Stoneywood-dyce team that only narrowly dodged relegation last season.
However, having opted to bowl first, Arbroath were soon struggling as former Scotland all-rounder Jan Stander was joined by Garreth Wolmarans in an 80-run stand for the second wicket.
Stander eventually became the first of Craig Ross’s three victims for 41 but Wolmarans went on to make a punishing 99 as the Aberdonians posted an imposing 271-8.
In reply, several home batters made promising starts but none went on to make the major contribution required. Marc Petrie top-scored with 41 as they were all out for 185 in the 42nd over, Wolmarans completing a fine all-round display with 3-25.
Arbroath captain Bryce Carnegie admitted: “It was a pretty poor performance all round from us.”
The good news for the Lochlands side is that South African international Wihan Lubbe is due to join them later this week.
Elsewhere, there were capital derby wins for Heriot’s, Grange and Corstorphine against Watsonians, Carlton and Stewart’s Melville.