Strong batting line-ups to the fore as champions Grange face an early test

The CSL Eastern Premier Division cricket season gets underway this afternoon with ten teams aiming to lift the silverware come August,

Mazars Grange are the reigning champions and look like the side to beat again and they are joined by Aberdeenshire, Arbroath, 2017 champions Heriot’s, Carlton, Forfarshire, RH Corstorphine, Stewart’s Melville, Stoneywood-dyce and Watsonians.

The match in round one that catches the eye is Grange against Forfarshire.

The Edinburgh side resigned Scotland batsman George Munsey over the winter from Watsonians and although he is unlikely to play in this one, the Grange batting line-up is still strong.

So is the Forfarshire one, though, and Bryce Allchin has also joined the club from Arbroath.

There is a tasty capital derby at Goldenacre where Heriot’s meet Watsonians. Heriot’s are led by Keith Morton again and have managed to bring in Joe Kinghorn-gray from RH Corstorphine as player/coach.

Another seamer, Callum Stuart, has also joined and Morton said: “The key thing was keeping the core of the squad together and trying to build on it.

“Bringing in Joe and Callum is great for us as is having overseas players Hayes van der Berg and Elnathan Meiri back, we are looking forward to the season.”

Mike Carson has taken up the captaincy at Watsonians and key to their season is going to be how they deal with the loss of a number of experienced players such as Ewan Chalmers, Dewald Nel, Brendan O’connell and Munsey. Ontheirreturntothetop flight Stoneywood-dyce start on the road to Carlton, with South African opening batsman Liam Lindsay returning for a third season, while the experienced Jan Stander, pictured, will be a big player for them.

Skipper Jack Mitchell said: “I am feeling confident ahead of the coming season. We have a great mix of youth and experience in the squad. We are excited to test ourselves in this division.”

Carlton have South African Corne Dry coming as an overseas player, but he will miss at least the first game before his arrival.

Solo Nqweni, the South African seam bowling all-rounder, is set to debut for Aberdeenshire at home to Stewart’s Melville, who now have Steven Parker in charge.

Arbroath will start at home to an RH Corstorphine team led by Majid Haq and with Mohammad Saad from Pakistan in their ranks.