Cricket: Heriot's hope Singh can get them winning key play-off

Published on Friday 4 September 2009 09:44

HERIOT'S are set to take a leap of faith by debuting all-rounder Gur Singh when they put their Lloyds TSB Scottish cricket Premiership future on the line in a play-off match against Forfarshire at Freuchie tomorrow.

For the past two months Singh has been travelling from Glasgow for training and matches while eagerly awaiting his chance. Now it is poised to come in arguably the biggest fixture the Heriot's club have undertaken since their Scottish Cup final triumph in 2000.

Captain Steve Knox said: "Gur is primarily a batting all-rounder who got in touch to say that he wasn't in Clydesdale's plans so could he travel along the M8 to play for Heriot's.

"After getting a 50 in his first outing for our thirds he progressed to the seconds and has picked up a few wickets. He's included in our 13-man squad and, if selected, will certainly be going in at the deep end.

"Fortunately when we applied to have Gur registered Clydesdale supported our request and the paperwork went through just ahead of last week's scheduled visit to Greenock which was eventually rained off."

Missing from Heriot's line-up are the unavailable Antony Eddington and Steve Litster but professional Cammie Farrell is still around and Knox is hopeful there will still be sufficient experience in the ranks to cope with the runners-up in Division One.

"We really have to concentrate on re-creating our mid-season form before dropping to second bottom to find ourselves in a play-off situation," added Knox. "Experience may play a part but there are plenty of reasons to be respectful of Forfarshire."

Ironically Knox could find himself confronting bowler Henry Philip, a Scotland under-19 prospect, whom he helped to spend an off-season playing in New Zealand last winter.

"Henry came out to the club I've been playing for in Christchurch at my instigation so it is rather ironic that he could have a big influence on a match that is so important to Heriot's.

"But there are a number of threats in the Forfarshire team including (ex-Scotland captain) Ryan Watson, who has so much experience."

Meanwhile, Grange and Scotland batsman Neil McCallum has spoken of his delight at being among the nominations for the ICC Associate player of the year award which will be decided in Johannesburg on 1 October.

McCallum's inclusion in a list of 14 that includes 2008 winner, Ryan ten Doeschate of the Netherlands, comes after hitting three centuries in four innings during World Cup qualifiers.

He said: "The first I knew of this was when I received a text message congratulating me.

"Now I suppose it is a case of sitting tight and waiting on the outcome of the ICC vote but it is a great honour to be included on the short-list.

"It seems that the season is finishing better for Scotland than in some of the earlier games with the visit of Australia last week a great occasion, though quite draining for the players in some ways."