Cricket: Paul's great ball of China ready to go

Published on Friday 7 August 2009 10:11

HERIOT'S bowler Paul McCraw has backed his team-mates to maintain their place in the top flight of Scottish club cricket as he prepares to broaden his own career in the unusual surroundings of Beijing.

Seamer McCraw takes his leave after tomorrow's Premiership clash with Watsonians at Goldenacre which sees Heriot's desperately seeking to distance themselves from the play-off spot occupied by second bottom Greenock, who are just 5.06 percentage points behind.

And he thinks Heriot's must get back to the form that saw them win three league games on the trot earlier this season. He said: "We seem to have slipped back but it wasn't all that long ago that Heriot's were showing a lot of consistency and there's no reason we can't climb the table."

McCraw, a history and politics teacher who is taking up a post at Dulwich College, Beijing, for two years, added: "I've executed more Chinese cuts than bowled Chinamen but it's still exciting to know the college's Australian headmaster helped found the first Beijing cricket league – now featuring ten teams, mostly of expats."

Former Heriot's pupil McCraw is used to making cricket history himself having been the only Premiership bowler to take a hat-trick in 2008 when his victims against Uddingston included Scotland stars Paul Hoffman and Ed Cowan.

Heriot's could do with that form tomorrow even if they are one of the great enigmas of the Scottish scene.

Three bowlers – Cameron Farrell, Anthony Edington and Ali Farooq – occupy places among the top ten premiership wicket takers and keeper Gavin McIntyre's 16 catches are unsurpassed.

What Heriot's also have is returning skipper Steve Knox after he dropped down to the 2nd XI while recovering from a hamstring tear.

"I couldn't sprint or change direction but I thought I could perhaps strike a few runs and fortunately the injury has now eased," said Knox who has set his side the target of finishing with four straight wins.

In the reciprocal fixture at Myreside, it was Heriot's who came out on top by ten runs although Knox is taking nothing for granted. He said: "We got the better of the conditions." The key man for Heriot's this time could be batsman Chris Goddard and Knox said: "Chris has had a few good scores of 40-plus and this would be an ideal time to develop a really big score."

Watsonians have a more formidable look with vice-captain Euan Stubbs back behind the stumps.

Elsewhere, Carlton entertain Uddingston whose total of 271 they successfully chased down earlier in the campaign.

Ready to build on a series of encouraging displays will be Ben Duerden on a day when Steve Gilmour, Bryn Lockie and Peter Deakin are unavailable. It will also be a poignant occasion for bowler Steven Elder as the match is preceded by a memorial event for his grandmother, Nan Barwick, who was a popular influence on the club as well as a tea lady. Also listed are Nik Hunt and Ben Stewart. Captain Cedric English said: "Ben is a very technically correct batsman who has the capability of going in high up the order. He's also an excellent fielder." Meanwhile, leaders Grange head for Aberdeenshire looking to avenge a first-half setback with Neil McCallum unavailable but Simon Taylor returning.

Skipper Sanjay Patel is philosophical about McCallum's absence.

"We are where we want to be at the top of the table entering the home straight and in Simon Taylor we have a first class replacement for Neil," he said.

In Division One, Penicuik await Stenhousemuir while the Division Two card gives RH Corstorphine the chance to improve third place at home to basement side Prestwick. Also, Edinburgh CC await Weirs while Stewart's Melville entertain leaders Falkland.