GREEENOCK are at home on Saturday to fourth-placed Kilmarnock, hoping to build on the positive start under new coach Tom Black.
The Ayrshire side will provide a real test for the Glenpark men, but they showed application and resolve to overcome a difficult spell in mid-innings last weekend at Stirling to gain victory.
Under new coach, Tom Black, there was an immediate difference in attitude from the players at Stirling. Team captain Aryan Sanghera said, “It was a big win for us. He definitely made a difference. He brings the mindset and aggression we were missing.”
Black is second only to the legendary John Kerr in run-scoring for Greenock, having amassed more than 19,000 runs during his career. He has been enticed back to Glenpark in a coaching capacity.
It is hoped his experience, coaching skills and tactical knowledge will rub off on the current crop of players at the club.
Saturday’s opponents Kilmarnock, have made a fine start. From the first five Western Premiership Two matches played, they have won four and lost just one, against Uddingston in their first league outing of the season.
Since then, they have been in cruise mode swatting aside each of their opponents with strong batting performances. That culminated last weekend with 332 runs being scored in just 40 overs at their own ground, The Scott Ellis Playing Fields, against second-bottom Helensburgh.
Top batter was Gurupreet Singh who made 137 not out from just 87 balls, scoring 13 boundaries and seven sixes. Captain Paul Flanagan scored 63 and Nas Khan scored 42. The team also has former professional Sachin Chaudhary who has moved across from Prestwick.
Greenock will once again look to their two overseas players to lead the team. Adam McGuirk’s innings of 64 runs was the key to the team’s win over Stirling.
On the bowling front, Toby Matthews and Fahim Dinarkhiel continued to demonstrate a consistent ability to pick up wickets with five gained between them at Stirling. And Nikhil Kadyan showed that he too can be a key performer for the team with the ball with two wickets for just 19 runs from his 10 overs of off spin.
Several key players will be missing because of work commitments. Out are Fahim Dinarkhiel, Cammy Calder and Nikhil Kadyan.
The team to play Kilmarnock at Glenpark on Saturday with a noon start will be from: A Sanghera (Capt), Ma Ahmadzai, Mu Ahmadzai, PJ Bryceland, U Mansoor, TA Matthews, GJ McDougall, A. McGuirk (Wk), A Nair, SS Prabhu, K Thapa.
Greenock’s 2ndXI Glenpark play against Mearns 2nd XI Mearns Challengers on Saturday.The team has yet to decided.
In midweek, the Glenpark XI were well beaten by Ferguslie’s Meikleriggs XI in a Western Cup sectional match at Glenpark.
Greenock Cricket Club is sponsored by The Ethos Group
