Cricket: Knox keeps his cool as Aberdeen come calling

Published on Friday 14 August 2009 10:03

HERIOT'S cricket skipper Steve Knox is refusing to press the panic button as his team prepare to battle for survival in the Lloyds TSB Premiership.

It is bad enough that Heriot's have dropped to second bottom spot and are facing the prospect of a play-off against the runners-up in Division Two to preserve their status if matters don't improve, but tomorrow sees the Capital outfit welcome to Goldenacre high-flying Aberdeenshire, who need victory to maintain their lead in the table with two matches remaining.

Announcing a one-change team with David Ross returning fresh from a knock of 46 runs at 2nd XI level for Paul McCraw, who has moved to a job abroad, Knox said: "We just have to concentrate on putting on a performance and not worry about implications.

"There's no need to look too far ahead as that can be counter-productive."

Where Heriot's can take encouragement is that in the corresponding fixture their tally of 232-5, albeit in a losing cause, remains the highest league total posted by a visiting side this season at Aberdeenshire.

This contrasts with a paltry 130 all out by Heriot's when beaten at home by Watsonians last time out.

"That was a pretty awful team performance," admitted Knox, adding: "At 10-3, we had lost three of our top order in very similar fashion.

"Then, a partnership between myself and Gavin McIntyre got us going again only for me to get out, sparking a collapse.

"Individually, guys have got things to work on and we will have to bounce back against opponents whose big threat is (former Heriot's] pace bowler Chris West with his unorthodox bowling style while Todd Astle is a consistent pro. and Neil McRae has a very shrewd cricketing brain."

Calling on colleagues to heed the message from Knox the team's South African-born all-rounder Andre van Niekerk said: "Knoxy isn't the only batsman capable of getting runs for us and the guys have to follow his lead.

"Sometimes I feel Steve is undervalued in various places within the Scottish game considering the enormous amount he can offer. If people give him the free rein someone of his ability deserves in trying to build things they'll be well rewarded."

Also in the Capital, Watsonians will be looking to complete a double over Greenock lifted by Raj Routray becoming joint highest wicket taker in the league alongside Uddingston's Paul Hoffman.

Other key performers can be Ryan Flannigan and Ewan Chalmers fresh from representing Scotland at the European A championships.

Meanwhile, Grange head for FS McCrea West hoping to complete a league double over the Glaswegians but without captain Sanjay Patel, who is unavailable.

On the credit side, Neil McCallum returns to a team in which young all rounder Chris Rankine retains his place.

Carlton are away to Clydesdale with internationalist Steve Gilmour back after a shoulder injury.

However, Peter Deakin, Ben Duerdin and Bryn Lockie are among those unavailable as Carlton seek to build on a convincing win over Uddingston and consolidate a spot in the top half of the league.

"So often in the past have Uddingston made it difficult for us at Grange Loan that we have to take encouragement from seeing them off," says skipper Cedric English who has to choose between Tom Barrett and Steven Elder for the remaining slot.

In Division One, meanwhile, Penicuik will be aiming to continue their revival at Stoneywood-Dyce while the Division Two card includes a derby clash between Edinburgh CC and Stewart's Melville.

RH Corstorphine head for Renfrew aiming to further promotion hopes having moved into second place last week.