Scottish cricket: Scotland aiming to build on success (30 Jun 1998)

30 June 1998

Scottish cricket: Scotland aiming to build on success

By Keith Graham

SCOTLAND'S Triple Crown game against Ireland at Greenock today marks the beginning of a hectic period of international action in which the Scots will be playing on 30 out of the next 48 days, including a visit to Holland for the European Cup.

In fact when Scotland face Derbyshire in the next round of the NatWest Trophy on July 8 in Edinburgh they will also be fielding a team against Bangladesh at Forthill.

With James Brinkley, Andy Tennant and Mike Smith, restored to international action after missing last week's NatWest Trophy game against Worcester, it is a strong side that will face Ireland today at Glenpark, Wales tomorrow at Cambusdoon, Ayr, and the ECB England XI on Thursday at Hamilton Crescent.

However, Steve Crawley, Nick Dyer and Mike Allinghan have been forced to pull out. Their places go to Ian Stanger and Drew Parsons, both of whom played in the NatWest epic, and spinner Keith Sheridan.

The return of Brinkley restores an opening pairing with Asim Butt which impressed during the Benson and Hedges campaign earlier in the season. Craig Wright is likely to operate as the third seamer after his tremendous spell against Worcestershire which yielded five for 23 and the man-of-the-match award.

The return of Mike Smith and the late call-up of Drew Parsons, who last year savaged the England attack, also adds aggression to the early batting.

Scotland's only one-day defeat at the hands of Ireland came in the inaugural Triple Crown tournament in 1993 and after last week's heroics they will be in confident mood to keep their subsequently unblemished record intact.

They will, however, have to guard against complacency against Wales who came uncomfortably close to beating them in last year's competition.

England play Wales today at Hamilton Crescent and Ireland tomorrow at Boghall, Linlithgow, with Wales facing Ireland at Meikleriggs, Paisley, on Thursday.

RHSM's Pakistani Test player Zahoor Elahi claimed the remarkable figures of six for six from six overs as Stoneywood Dyce were beaten by 154 runs in Conference B.

RHSM captain Robbie Thornton, with a fine 58, had added 88 for the second wicket with Iyaz Gul to lay the foundation for a total of 193 for eight. Stoneywood Dyce were dismissed for 39.

Carlton wrapped up an easy victory over Falkland in Conference A after Falkland were bowled out for 108, with Craig Bullock's five for 40 and Cedric English's three for 17 doing the damage. Carlton lost just four wickets as they cruised home.

Strathmore found Keith Sheridan's spin too much for them when he took five for 25 as they slipped to a total of 111. Mohammed Ramzan's sparkling form with the bat continued for Poloc as he raced to 71 to ensure a six-wicket win.

Aberdeenshire set a daunting target of 201 for eight against Ferguslie at Mannofield, with Mike Hussey hitting a fine 92 to signal his class to the Scotland players who will face him during Australia A's tour in a few weeks' time.

One of them, Mike Smith, also found form at last with a doughty innings of 67 as the home team successfully negotiated the draw which just maintained their lead in Conference C.

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