Scotland caps Hairs and Sole bolster Grange ranks for Mannofield trip
Reigning champions Mazars Grange have been boosted by the availability of two players who have Scotland appearances to their name when they travel to Aberdeenshire in the CSL Eastern Premier Division this afternoon.
Grange’s defence of the trophy got off to a stuttering start l ast week when a Michael Leask century inspired ion8 Forfarshire to victory at Portgower Place. However, Grange have been able to add Oli Hairs and Chris Sole, pictured, to their ranks for the trip to Mannofield in week two.
Batsman Hairs played for the club as a teenager and has been down south for a number of years. However, he scored a century for the Eastern Knights on Monday and the 28- yearold, who played five one- day internationals for Scotland in 2010, looks set to be available to the club this summer.
Like Hairs, seam bowler Sole came through the ranks at Grange and has most recently been on the books at count y side Hampshire. He is in the Grange XI for this game though and the 25- yearold will lead the attack a l o ngs i d e s t a nd- i n skipper John Blain.
With regular capt ain Preston Mommsen missing, Ryan Flannigan joins the batting line- up with young Connor Shorten also coming in.
Aberdeenshire played just one over last week before the rain came and will be keen to get a full game in. Ian Kirk comes into the side.
RH Corstorphine and Heriot’s both won in week one and meet at Barnton today. The hosts are unchanged meaning their pro from Pakistan, Mohammad Saad, makes a home debut. Heriot’s have spinning all- rounder Michael Shean coming into their XI.
Matthew Parker, the ex- Scotland man, will play against his former club when Arbroath host Forfarshire. Parker grew up playing his cricket at Lochlands before spending a few years at Forfs, but he is back where it all started now. Euan Small also joins the Arbroath XI, with Christian Robertson coming in for the visitors.
Carlton bowler Shiv Gupta is keen to kick start their season at home to Stewart’s Melville. “The younger guys like myself are always learning from the experienced players like Ali Evans and Arun Pillai and we have a close- knit group which is very nice to be a part of,” the 19- year- old seamer explained.
Stoneywood- Dyce will look to build on last week’s opening win at Carlton against Mike Carson’s Watsonians. Ferguslie will today try to kickstart their title defence when they entertain early leaders Uddingston at Meikleri g g s . The Pai s - ley team were frustrated by rain at Clydesdale last week while today’s visitors took the points in the only game to survive.
Ferguslie skipper Riyaad Henry is hopeful his side can shrug off the absence of several of last season’s triumphant team to challenge again.
Michael English, Jamey Carruthers, Greg Cameron, Taimoor Ahmad and Hamza Tahir are all missing for a variety of reasons while new professional, Z i mbabwean Nkos a n a Mpofu, is yet to arrive but Henry said: “I have plent y of confidence i n t he team we have to compete in every game. I think all the teams have the ability to beat anyone this year.” Meanwhile, Uddingston may arrive i n confident mood following last week’s win against Drumpellier but skipper Bryan Clarke is taking nothing for granted.
“Ferguslie seem to have recruited well. They are still a strong side, particularly at Meikleriggs,” he said. Uddingston will field a potent seam trio of Scotland star Gavin Main, Niall Alexander and debutant Abdul Sabri. Clarke added: “I’m looking forward to seeing them as I’m not sure I’ve played in an Uddy team with this kind of seam attack.”
P r e s t wi c k l o o k e d o n course to make a winning start until rain washedout their fixture with Stirling and the Ayrshiremen will tr y again when they head to Shawholm to face a youthful Poloc team.
Meanwhile, Drumpellier will attempt to bounce b a c k f r o m l a s t we e k ’s reverse when they entertain a Greenock side who draft in Greg Mcdougall for Rod Mountford.
Qasim Sheikh, the East Kilbride captain, believes s t ar performers I mran Mughal and Umair Khan can help his promoted side consolidate their place in the top flight and they will get the chance to make a winning start when they host West of Scotland. Stirling welcome Clydesdale to New Williamfield.