Scottish League: Curtain lifts on united nations (30 April 1999)
Tomorrow's opening round of games in the SNCL Premiership will see, for the first and last time in May, appearances by members of the Scotland squad before they assemble in Durham on Monday for the imminent World Cup
30-Apr-1999
30 April 1999
Scottish League: Curtain lifts on united nations
Keith Graham
Tomorrow's opening round of games in the SNCL Premiership will see,
for the first and last time in May, appearances by members of the
Scotland squad before they assemble in Durham on Monday for the
imminent World Cup.
There will, however, be a strong international flavour to the card
with 11 Australians, five South Africans, two New Zealanders and a
Sri Lankan all making appearances.
Heriot's, who face Grange at Raeburn Place, were unable to arrange a
visa for their first-choice professional, Ryan West , but will give
debuts to two other New Zealanders, Christopher Martin and Nicholas
Taylor. They have also strengthened their team with the signing of
Scottish under-19s all-rounder Greg Butchart, although Grange, with
Sri Lankan Yasas Tillekeratne in harness, will be a tough nut to
crack.
Greenock could be the season's dark horses. Tomorrow, they take on
West Lothian and the acquisition of free-scoring Tasmanian Dene Hills
may give them an edge, particularly as popular Australian Chris Swan
also returns after impressive performances in 1998. The Boghall side,
who, this time, will be led by professional Craig Light, have a
difficult opening encounter.
Ayr have two Australians in their line-up, Graeme Rummans, a
left-handed batsman and slow left-armer who is a product of the
Academy, and all-rounder Matthew Smith. They face West Of Scotland at
home tomorrow in what promises to be the game of the day.
The return of Corey Richards and the recruitment of opening bowler
Grant Roden, former club-mates in Australia of Ayr's Rummans, gives
West a formidable look, especially with Craig Wright back in the
line-up and Jon Williams returning to Hamilton Crescent.
Former West player Jason Arnberger may be Aberdeenshire's trump card.
A prolific run-scorer, he also knows all about Scottish conditions so
a visit to Meikleriggs will hold no terrors for him. The
north-easterners also field an Australian amateur in Stephen Gribble,
while Ferguslie also boast two Australians in their line-up, Mark
Atkinson and Ryan Freeman.
At People's Park, the meeting of Stoneywood Dyce and Carlton brings
together four South Africans, Grant Dugmore and Marcel Englebrecht
for the home side and Cedric English and Andrew Olsen for the
visitors.
The top fixture in the first division sees Drumpellier visit
Clydesdale, for whom Ian Stanger and Greig Williamson are available.
Old rivals Perthshire and Strathmore meet at Lochside Park while
fancied Watsonians go to Freuchie.
In division two, Dunfermline have a tricky visit to Stirling and
Stenhousemuir travel to Edinburgh Accies.
Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)