CRICKET — Greenock Travel To Ayr Hoping For A Start To League ActionGREENOCK make a trip down the Clyde coast on Saturday for their Premier League fixture against Ayr at New Cambusdoon.
Both sides will be hoping for some fine weather to allow them the opportunity of playing their first competitive matches of the 2018 season following cancellations last weekend. At Glenpark, it was a frustrating and bemusing afternoon last Saturday for players and spectators alike, as the opening Premier League fixture against Dumfries was at first delayed in starting, and then called off by the umpires, who ruled that some areas of the outfield were not fit to allow play to start. In the event, with the match called off, both teams agreed to play a ‘bounce’ game of 25 overs a side as they felt the ground was suitable for play and wished to get some match practice.
For the match at New Cambusdoon, Greenock should be at, or near to, full strength, as the club’s professional Saurabh Bandekar from Goa in south west India has eventually overcome some visa issues and arrives on Friday. His inclusion in the side will be a big encouragement for the team, as he has the potential to be a major player for season. Thirty-year-old Bandekar is highly-experienced having played for India at Under-19 level along with several of the current Indian test team, and also having had experience of first-class cricket as well as the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is a right-arm medium fast bowler and also a useful batsman who will likely fill a middle-order position.
Last season, it was honours even between Greenock and Ayr with each gaining a win on home territory. For the first time in several years, the New Cambusdoon club have not been able to secure the services of New Zealand former internationalist Michael Papps. The opening batsman was a major player for them and was pretty much a ‘run machine’, topping the Premier League averages regularly when playing here in the west of Scotland. Without a high-scoring Papps innings, the Ayr batting line-up frequently failed to deliver.
But, like Greenock, the Ayrshire side does have various players capable of scoring well. Opening batsman Neil Smith could present a danger if not removed early and Andy McElnea has frequently been a problem player for Greenock. Ayr are replacing Papps with West Indian professional Kenroy Peters who has experience at the very highest level of the game. He is a left-arm, medium-pace bowler who is also a very useful batsman. He is a player whom Greenock will see as a danger in both of the main areas of the game on Saturday.
In last Saturday’s ‘bounce’ match with Dumfries, several of the Greenock players made a decent start to their innings but then failed to build a substantial score. More concentration and determination will be required at New Cambusdoon. Of particular importance will be the runs scored by the top and middle order. Harry Briggs batted well against Ayr last season scoring fifties both at Glenpark and at New Cambusdoon and, if he can weather the first few overs, then he has the potential to gain another significant score. His opening batting partner, Shailesh Prabhu, has started the season with a couple of innings in the twenties, but then lost his wicket just when it seemed as though he could go on to make a big score. On Saturday his aim will be to stick around and build a major innings.
For both of Greenock’s overseas players, the visit to New Cambusdoon will be an opportunity to showcase their batting skills. The Ayrshire ground is usually a good one for scoring runs and the Glenpark side will be hopeful that the pair can find some early season form. Others from whom runs should come include captain Neil Flack, the Hempsey brothers and Rod Mountford. Flack is a batsman with a wide array of shots and capable of a big score. He was Greenock’s highest run scorer in 2017 with more than 700 runs and he topped the averages. If he can find form on Saturday then he can post a score which would put Greenock in a good match position.
Greenock’s team for the match, which will start at noon, will be: ND Flack (Capt), S Bandekar, HR Briggs, F Godsman, CJK Hempsey, JPC Hempsey, GJ McDougall, RP Mountford, SS Prabhu, SS Sanghera, L Smit. Scorer: R McGregor The Greenock 2nd XI (Glenpark) are at home to Irvine 2nd XI (Marress) and the match will commence at Glenpark at 1pm.
The team for this match will be chosen from the following group of players: A Calder, PJ Bryceland, C Calder, L Fischer Keogh, P Hempsey, L McCahill, J Nowell, SS Pandher, PE Robertson, A Sanghera, E Stewart.
On Sunday, Greenock’s Hillend XI welcome Torrance Community CC to Glenpark for a friendly match which will begin at 1pm.
Greenock Cricket Club is sponsored by Cleaning Supplies 4U
