GREENOCK have two important league and cup matches ahead this weekend.
On Saturday, the team travel to East Kilbride for a Western Premiership Two league match and on Sunday they play Strathmore CC in the semi-final of the Cricket Scotland Challenge Cup at Glenpark.
Third-from-bottom East Kilbride have won just three out of their nine league matches and go into the final month seeking to avoid relegation.
They are 13 percentage points above the two bottom sides Irvine and Helensburgh, each of whom have won only two matches.
Greenock will be eyeing up the opportunity to move up the Premiership Two table into fourth spot by beating the Torrance House team. And if Kilmarnock, currently fourth, lose to Stirling County at New Williamfield on Saturday, then Greenock will move up.
Saturday’s side shows a number of changes from last Saturday. Shailesh Prabhu, Nikhil Kadyan, Usman Mansoor and Sehmat Pandher are replaced by Aryan Sanghera, PJ Bryceland, Kurukulasuriya Leema and Sam Sanghera.
The team will be: A Sanghera (Capt), Mu Ahmadzai, PJ Bryceland, CS Calder, F Dinarkheil, CJ Henry (Wk), W Jenkins, K Leema, G McDougall, CS Pandher, SS Sanghera.
On Sunday, Greenock will hope to get their Cricket Scotland Challenge Cup semi-final against Strathmore CC played at the second attempt. Wet weather caused cancellation last weekend.
Forfar side Strathmore, who were winners of the Challenge Cup in 2019, are fourth in the North East Scotland Cricket League. The team won their first four league matches, but have lost their last four.
Opening bat Rhys Tweedy is Strathmore’s most outstanding run-scorer this season with more than 650 runs to his credit in all matches. The 20-year-old South African scored 216 not-out against St Modan’s in a league match in early May and 116 against Crescent in June.
Tweedy is an all-rounder and is also Strathmore’s top wicket-taker with 19 wickets in all matches. His best is 5 for 25 against Stoneywood Dyce at the end of May.
The match, at 1pm, is Greenock’s first cup semi-final since 2011.
The Greenock team for Sunday shows a number of changes to the side that will play East Kilbride on Saturday. Out are PJ Bryceland and Kurukulasuriya Leema and in come Harry Briggs and Sehmat Pandher.
The team will be: A Sanghera (Capt), Mu Ahmadzai, HR Briggs, CS Calder, F Dinarkheil, CJ Henry (Wk), W Jenkins, G McDougall, CS Pandher, SS Pandher, SS Sanghera.
Hillend XI: On Tuesday evening, Greenock’s Hillend XI defeated Vale of Leven in a Midweek League match at Glenpark. Batting first, the Hillend XI scored 118 for 9, with Mo Zeeshan top-scoring with 52. In reply, Vale of Leven were 99 for the loss of six wickets at the end of their 20 overs. The Hillend XI have won three out of their five Midweek League matches and are in joint third position with Ferguslie.
Greenock Cricket Club is sponsored by Cleaning Supplies 4U
