African pro boosts hunt for first win at Barnton

Arbroath are still searching for a first victory as the Eastern Premier League cricket season reaches the halfway stage,

However, the Lochlands men were handed a timely boost this week with the long-awaited arrival of South African professional Wihan Lubbe.

The 29-year-old allrounder, delayed by visa issues, goes straight into the side for today’s clash with high-flying RH Corstorphine at Barnton, and skipper Bryce Carnegie is thrilled at the addition to his team.

Carnegie said: “Wihan being here gives us all a big lift. He has been watching our games via the live streams and knows where he can help us most. His playing ability is obviously a massive boost to the team but his experience at the highest level is what I’m going to be leaning on the most.”

Carnegie’s men produced their best batting display of the season in scoring 295 against Stewart’s Melville last weekend, only for a substandard performance in the field to dash their hopes.

A Corstorphine team boasting big-hitting George Munsey and Liam Naylor will surely exploit any shortcomings in that department but Arbroath will be in the hunt if Lubbe can reproduce the form that saw him score three league centuries for the club in 2019.

Meanwhile, Forfarshire will attempt to stay in touch with the top three when they make the trip to the capital to face Watsonians at Myreside.

With four wins and three defeats to date, the Forthill side are on the fringes of the title race and can ill-afford any more slip-ups if they are to repeat their memorable championship success of three years ago.

Shire welcome back Rory Johnston from injury with the Caley Highlanders batter sure to bolster the top order as they bid to build on last week’s hard-fought victory over Carlton.

Falkland face their stiffest test since returning to the top flight when they also head to Edinburgh to take on star-studded champions Heriot’s at Goldenacre. In-form Grange host Stewart’s Melville, while Stoneywood-dyce visit Carlton.