The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Win or bust for Shire as the leaders come calling
Cricket: Mannofield men know they have to end Grange’s unbeaten run
The season has not reached the halfway point but thirdplaced Aberdeenshire are already in must-win territory, according to captain Tyler Buchan.
The Cricket Scotland club champions host unbeaten Grange at Manno field tomorrow and Buchan knows nothing less than victory will do for his side after two Eastern Premier Division defeats.
He said: “It’s a big game. They’re unbeaten and if we want to hang on to our title we have got to beat Grange.
“We need to claw back after some of the games we’ve lost and, as we get towards the halfway stage of the season, it’s vital we win to keep ourselves within touching distance.
“Grange are a strong team with a mix of current and past Scotland players in the line-up.
“George Munsey is their most dangerous player at the moment after scoring 177 not out in their win against Carlton last weekend. He has also been selected for the Scottish Twenty20 squad, so clearly we’ll need to keep an eye on him.”
Shire will try to halt the impressive Munsey but Buchan believes his club boasts a scoring weapon of its own in vice-captain Chris Venske, who has hit form recently.
The Aberdeenshire captain said: “Chris Venske has also come into form in recent weeks having scored 106 and 93 in his last two league games at Mannofield.
“He is hitting the ball really well and his scoring rate is so good that when he hits form it takes the pressure off the rest of the team.
“He formed a great partnership with Calum Howard which made 174 on Saturday and they are a key partnership for us. If they get going it takes the pressure off Harsha Cooray and the other guys in the batting order.”
Buchan has an injury concern ahead of the game with bowler Adrian Neill struggling to make the game.
Buchan said: “We’re awaiting news on whether Adrian will be fit to play. He suffered a knee injury playing for the Highlanders and is due to see the physio tomorrow.
“If he misses out it will be a huge loss for us, although Calum Martin, James Musgrave and Gary Halcrow will all return to the side.”