GREENOCK get their competitive season under way with a Western Premiership Two league match against Kilmarnock at Glenpark on Saturday.
The fixture brings together two of the oldest cricket clubs in Scotland, with Kilmarnock formed in 1852 and Greenock in 1862.
After two wet weekends which disrupted Greenock’s pre-season preparations, the weather is looking positive for this weekend.
The Ayrshire side and the Glenpark club are old adversaries with strong bonds between them. And this season, as well as meeting in the Western Premiership Two, the sides will also meet in the first round of the Rowan Cup on Thursday 15 May at Glenpark.
Last season, Greenock finished in fourth place with Kilmarnock two places further below. But it was Killie who came out on top in both league fixtures against Greenock.
Greenock will field a strong 1st XI led by young Aryan Sanghera in his first season as captain.
Making their competitive debuts for the club will be two young Australians, Callum Henry and Will Jenkins from the Brisbane area of Queensland. Henry is a wicket-keeper and opening batsman while Jenkins is a pace bowler and middle order bat.
The match starts at noon. The team will be: A Sanghera (C), C Calder, W Jenkins, C Henry (Wk), M Ahmadzai, S Sanghera, G McDougall, S Pandher, N Kadyan, M Mansoor, E Stewart, N Kadyan. Scorer: B Roberts
At the tea interval during the match, a new club flag will be unfurled. It is being presented to the club by Hon Vice-President Roger Hardie.
Greenock 2nd XI begin their league programme with a lengthy journey south to Gatehouse of Fleet for a match against Galloway.
The team is: M Ahmad (C), H Safi, P Robertson (Wk), E Norris, A Nair, Y Hayat, Z Dilsoz, M Ahmadzai, F Dinarkheil, R Safi, S Safi (12th man)
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Greenock 1st XI host visitors The XL (Forty) Club. The match at Glenpark will start at 1pm.
Greenock Cricket Club is sponsored by Cleaning Supplies 4U
