Teenager shines in away-day triumph

Teenager Thomas Knight earned his captain’s praises after guiding Forfarshire to victory in their Eastern Premier cricket league clash with Arbroath at Lochlands.

The Scotland age group batter stroked a mature unbeaten 42 as Shire completed a comfortable seven-wicket success.

Chasing a modest target after the home side had been dismissed for just 129, the outcome was potentially in the balance when the Broughty Ferry side slipped to 39-2, Arbroath’s South African Luyanda Gasa dismissing Charles Cassell and Lyle Robertson in quick succession.

However, opener Knight showed great maturity as he dug in to play the anchor role, while the more expansive Callum Garden played an array of attacking shots.

Garden was eventually run-out for a 44-ball 41 including two boundaries and a maximum, but Knight remained resolute, facing no fewer than 110 balls as victory was secured after 30 overs.

Earlier, wickets fell at regular intervals as Arbroath’s hopes of posting a substantial total were dashed.

Skipper Bryce Carnegie top-scored with 33, while Robertson atoned for his disappointment with the bat by claiming 3-8 from six miserly overs, while Bryce Allchin, Cassell and Jack Hogarth had two apiece.

Captain Hogarth said: “It was brilliant to see Thomas dig in and bat through. We were clinical with the bat and in the field, and really disciplined.

“All in all, it was a good performance, and it’s always good to go to your rivals and set a marker.”

Like Forfarshire, Falkland boast two wins from two after they produced a dominant display to overpower Watsonian by 136 runs at Scroggie Park.

After being put in to bat the Fifers posted 241, with Asif Khan and Kyle Jacobs making the major contributions of 71 and 59 respectively.

Falkland struck a major blow when Ethan Frosler dismissed the dangerous Oli Hairs for a duck in the first over of Sonians’ reply.

The home side then ruthlessly pressed home their advantage with Zane Schlebusch claiming 3-10 as the Edinburgh side were all out in 30.4 overs.

Falkland captain Jack Henderson said: “I’m very happy with the performance.

“We had plenty contributions with the bat and the bowlers were excellent – really putting the pressure on – and the fielding was great too.

“It was a complete performance and that’s what pleases me most.”

Meigle endured a tough day in the capital, conceding 420-3 to a Carlton team for whom Scotland batter Chris Mcbride posted a record 220 not out, the visitors replying with 183 all out.

● James Anderson is set for an emotional farewell this summer as England bid farewell to “arguably our greatest ever cricketer”, according to his first international captain Nasser Hussain. Hastened by a frank conversation with England Test head coach Brendon Mccullum last month, Anderson, right, will end his illustrious international career following the first Test against the West Indies at Lord’s starting on July 10, the same month he celebrates his 42nd birthday. Hussain, who led England when Anderson made his ODI debut in December 2002 and his Test bow in May 2003, insisted the country’s record wicket-taker and appearance-maker is still worth his place in the side. Hussain said: “He’s been a magnificent cricketer with everything he’s done on and off the field; his fitness, his form, his skill, his will to come back from adversity, it will be a very emotional week at Lord’s. “But I think it’s a week he deserves. “He’s arguably our greatest ever cricketer. He deserves that week from the fans, for the fans and also for himself.”