Scottish Cricket: Roberts added to Ayr's attack (12 Jun 1998)

12 June 1998

Scottish Cricket: Roberts added to Ayr's attack

By Keith Graham

THE rivalry between neighbours Ayr and Prestwick is renewed tomorrow in Conference C with Ayr, in second place, favourites to come out on top. The Cambusdoon side look to be on course for a First Division place although there is some concern that their bowling is not penetrative enough.

Last week's failure to get through a modest Edinburgh Accies batting line-up illustrates the point. Their professional Kevin Roberts, scorer of an unbeaten 141, has been drafted in to the attack despite confessing that he is only a part-time bowler with his club at home where he plays alongside the Waugh twins.

Three wickets last week, however, show that he is more than useful with the ball and, two weeks ago, his batting outshone that of Ferguslie's Mike Hussey, picked ahead of him for the Australian A tour to England, Ireland and Scotland.

The return of Andrew Baird to open the attack on a regular basis has been a bonus but Mark Renny apart, the Ayr attack lacks a cutting edge and places even more dependence upon their known batting strength. However, although Alan Simpson marked his return to form last week with a century, Bruce Patterson is struggling to find the form that made him an automatic choice for Scotland.

Prestwick's strength is their spinners, Andy Tennant and Javed Ashraf, but their batting is fragile and too dependent upon the flair of Drew Parsons, yet to find his most destructive form.

Clydesdale face a tricky journey to Arbroath, the surprise team in the section, having won three of their five games. Their side is largely home grown with Neil Burnett in form with the ball and professional Zahid providing excellent support. But Amir Hanif, with two successive centuries and a respectable haul of wickets, has been hinting at a Clydesdale revival. Tomorrow's encounter therefore promises to be close.

Leaders Aberdeenshire are not in action but Heriot's will be looking to maintain the only other 100 per cent record in Conference A when they visit GHK. Captain Eaun McIntyre is mindful of second-placed Grange's recent failure to bowl out the Glasgow side after declaring early but the form of Shahid Aslam and his partnership with Asim Butt may prove decisive.

Grange should strengthen their position against a winless Dunfermline at Raeburn Place. Their prolific opener Steve Crawley has been in such good form that he has forced his way back into the Scottish side.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)