Cricketers ready to start league action
Teams complete preparations with friendly fixtures
Perthshire cricket teams have been making final preparations ahead of the start of competitive league action this weekend.
Meigle start their Eastern Premier League campaign on Saturday away to Carlton CC.
The Black and Golds ended their pre-season work in style with a convincing home win over Western Premier side Stirling County at Victory Park last weekend.
The day got under way with a minute’s silence in memory of local freelance journalist David Phillips, an avid cricket fan.
David, who passed away in December, was a regular at Victory Park in later years, particularly after the sad demise of his beloved Blairgowrie Cricket Club.
In bright sunshine, albeit with a stiff easterly breeze, Meigle captain
Charles Clark opted to bat first on a decent-looking deck. Majid Rasheed opened up with new signing Adi Hegde.
Rasheed continued his good form from last season with some lovely strokes on his way to a quickfire 17 before playing around a straight delivery and being dismissed.
Hegde soon followed, edging behind for four. This brought Alan Neave and Raju Gayashan together at the crease and they built steadily before the latter went through the gears to complete his first century of the season.
The Sri Lankan retired on 105 after a knock which included 11 fours and four sixes.
Neave and Marcus Harvey then finished the innings strongly to push the total on to 230 at the end of Meigle’s 40 overs. Neave ended on 73 not-out.
The Stirling reply never really got going and their innings limped to a close on 158 for seven after 40 overs. The wickets were shared throughout the Meigle bowling line-up, with Hegde being the only bowler to grab a brace.
Perth Doo’cot Cricket Club, who this season have the services of Scottish international Safyaan Sharif to call upon, open up their North East Championship campaign on Saturday.
The scenic setting of Doo’cot Park is set to welcome opponents Kinloch for a 1pm start.
In recent weeks Doo’cot have been getting up to speed with preseason fixtures against the likes of Drumpellier CC, Edinburgh South and Renfrew.
“We’re very positive going into the first game against Kinloch,” said captain Rory Pennycook.
“We know we have a good side this year, strengthened by a Scotland international in Saffy and a very talented overseas amateur in Joel Rush. We also have a few signings from other clubs around the country so are confident we can hit the ground running.”
The Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union Division One season also swings into life this weekend with a number of local teams competing.
Meigle 2 begin with a home game against Arbroath United 2, while Perth Doo’cot’s second string open against St Modans.
Breadalbane, who warmed up with a friendly game at Falkland Cricket Club last weekend, hit the road for a curtain-raiser against Largo. Rossie Priory, meanwhile, welcome Stoneywood Dyce 2.