GREENOCK play their first home game of the season on Saturday, against leaders Uddingston.
The Lanarkshire side, who are unbeaten in their opening three games, are seeking to make a quick return to the Western Premiership One division, from which they were unexpectedly relegated at the end of last season.
But Greenock, with wins against East Kilbride last weekend and against Renfrew in a McCulloch Cup fixture in midweek, will be in confident mood.
Greenock have been given a challenging start to the league programme having been set against the three top sides in the first four matches.
Uddingston on the other hand have had two out of their three matches at home and also pitched against two teams, Helensburgh and Hillhead, who are at the bottom end of the table.
They have batted first against Hillhead and Kilmarnock and set a target of 200 runs for each of the sides to chase and then bowled them out well short of what was required.
Against bottom side Helensburgh at Bothwell Policies last Saturday, the visitors batted through their 50 overs and reached 162 for the loss of nine wickets. In reply, Uddingston scored 163 for the loss of 6 wickets in 31.2 overs to win the match comfortably.
Amaad Ramzan, Ben Wilmott and Ross Lyons batting in the middle order have been in fine form. In the three matches played, these players have scored a total of 337 runs.
Uddingston have a strong bowling unit and will likely use six, or maybe even seven, bowlers against Greenock. Particularly dangerous may be former Scotland international Ross Lyons and Rajarajan Kamaraj who picked up four wickets for 32 runs against Helensburgh.
Greenock’s form has shown an upturn over the past week with both Aussie amateurs showing that they are getting used to Scottish conditions. Toby Matthews has bowled very well and also shown that he can score runs batting in the top order, while Adam McGuirk has been a consistent run-scorer either opening the innings or coming in at number four or five depending on the match plan. They will be backed up by Aryan Sanghera and Chirag Pandher in the top order.
Nikhil Kadyan will be an important all-rounder for the match with Uddingston. Last Saturday at East Kilbride he scored an unbeaten 44 runs and was not needed to bowl as the Lanarkshire side was bowled out in just 18.1 overs. Against Uddingston, Kadyan’s slow, off-spin should come in very useful.
With Cammy Calder missing from the bowling attack, Mubi Ahmadzai and Usman Mansoor will have important roles to play along with Chirag Pandher
The weekend’s sides are at less than full strength with various players unavailable because of work commitments.
Greenock’s team for the match, which will start at noon is: A Sanghera (Capt), M Ahmadzai, F Dinarkheil, U Mansoor, N Kadyan, T Matthews, GJ McDougall, A. McGuirk (Wk), CS Pandher, K Thapa.
Greenock 2nd XI Glenpark have a league match away at Ferguslie on Saturday against Ferguslie 2nd XI ‘Meikleriggs. The match will have a noon start.
On Sunday, Greenock 1st XI travel to Brechin to play against Crescent-Dunecht in the first round of the Scottish Challenge Cup.
Greenock Cricket Club is sponsored by The Ethos Group
