Cricket: Heriot's man Steve knocks on the door of selectors

Published on Monday 29 June 2009 09:59

FORMER Scotland opener Steve Knox has sent another massive reminder to the national selectors after posting his fifth consecutive half century or better as Heriot's defeated struggling Greenock at Goldenacre in the Lloyd's TSB cricket premiership.

In helping set a target of 185 in the 30-overs-a-side contest Knox was unbeaten on 80 after another three figure opening stand with young partner Qasim Ashraf (59).

Knox's last five competitive innings for Heriot's have been 80 n/o on Saturday, 79, 79, 64 and 106 while for teenager Ashraf it was a third straight league half century. In the field Heriot's lived dangerously as second-bottom Greenock got to within six runs of victory. However, the return of Anthony Edington proved significant as the seamer took 3-38 including the wicket of Saltire Richie Berrington.

Also among the wickets with two apiece were Jamie Innes, Paul McCraw and pro Cammy Farrell.

At Myreside Watsonians' clash with basement boys Ayr went down to the wire before the Edinburghers pulled through in the final over.

Pro Michael Papps looked to have set the visitors up for their first win of the season with an unbeaten 110 in a daunting total of 201-3 off 30 overs. But Ryan Flannigan returned to form with the bat in 'Sonian colours by hitting 55 in a solid opening partnership with Andy Learmonth which Andy Delmont (78 n/o) and Ewan Chalmers (24) further embellished.

In the end it was George Cairns and Ross Paxton who saw Watsonians through and they now have a creditable four wins from nine starts.

At Raeburn Place Grange and Clydesdale failed to get underway with the match being called off within half an hour of the scheduled start. Similarly Penicuik's Division One clash at home to Dunfermline was washed out but there was better fortunes for Capital division two sides including SMRH who moved off the bottom with a win at home to Prestwick. After restricting the visitors to 121 SMRH reached their total for the loss of five wickets.

Edinburgh posted a 34 run win over Freuchie based on Rajah Javed's 64 while the same player took 3-34 as the Fifers were all out for 199 while at Barnton Preston Mommsen top-scored with 34 as RH Corstorphine (131) beat Dumfries by 22 runs, Kevin McLaren taking 3-30 for the hosts.