Lyons' share makes the difference

Published on Sunday 17 May 2009 22:51

THE defection of Ross Lyons from Clydesdale to Carlton was one of the surprising moves of the pre-season. And the fact that the out-of-favour Scotland spinner was heading along the M8 as a paid hand was also seen as a surprise.

Lyons has wasted no time in making an impression at Grange Loan, however, and he played a major part in the Edinburgh derby triumph over Watsonians on Saturday. And with the Saltires currently failing to provide stern opposition to the English counties, it seems strange he has not been included in the plans of the selectors during this FP Trophy campaign.

While Lyons was providing the orchestration for Carlton, the most telling performance was supplied by another new recruit, Pete Deakin. His all-round qualities were underlined as he struck a superb 89 not out, then snapped up four wickets as Watsonians fell short by six runs.

Significantly, the shot of the day had been played by Lyons – a towering thump over the ropes which effectively was the difference between the sides.

Lyons, who supported Deakin with 45 not out, said: "He looks like being an extremely useful acquisition. Pete is a former skipper of Dorset and is clearly a very good batsman who is also more than useful with the ball. We are lucky to have attracted him here."

Sonians had pro Andy Delmont to thank for keeping them in the contest. He cruised to 102 before being run out.

Veteran Ayr bowler Andy Baird insisted there is no panic in the ranks in spite of another heavy defeat, this time on home turf at the hands of Aberdeenshire. The relaxation of red tape allowed New Zealand international Michael Papps to make his delayed debut for the hosts, and though he couldn't stave off the loss, he did enough to suggest he is capable of helping Ayr turn round their fortunes.

Baird said: "Things just haven't gone our way, losing important start-of-season tosses and having to operate without a pro. But we have been in this position before and we know (it] can improve."

Five Ayr batsmen collected ducks as they slid to 118 all out, as Shire surged to glory by six wickets. Ayaz Gul marked his return with a 37, while Ian Brand finished the job with the same tally, though without being dismissed. Aberdeenshire's success was diluted by the cheekbone fracture sustained by Colin Smith.

The toss at Hamilton Crescent was also crucial as West of Scotland triumphed over Clydesdale in the Glasgow derby. Skipper Kasim Farid and Zulfi Shahid were the only Dale batsmen to crawl past the 20 mark. Pro Andy Ellis and Dutch international Mohammad Kashif each snapped up three scalps to send the Southsiders sliding to 125 all out. Ian Cran also put the stranglehold on Dale with a frugal spell of two for 19 from his ten overs. Dougie Lockhart (24) and Gregg Watson (26) laid the platform before Ellis (26) added further solidity. And it was left to skipper Ian Young with 23 not out and Ross Brown (12no) to win it.

Champions Grange surged to their expected decisive victory over a depleted Greenock outfit at Glenpark.

Greenock's tally of 201 for nine was more than had been anticipated – but not as much as it could have been. There were half centuries for Shailesh Prabhu and Richie Berrington, who must be on the brink of a Scotland recall. Grange suffered a dose of the jitters as they surrendered a spate of wickets in quick succession, however they steadied the ship to secure the all-important away win.

Elsewhere, Uddingston's 158 was 28 too many for Heriot's to chase at Goldenacre. Conditions were summed up by the fact that home opener Steve Knox was the only batsman to pass the 30 mark.

SMITH INJURY BLOW

COLIN Smith refused to rule himself out of next month's Twenty20 World Cup despite suffering a horror face injury on Saturday.

The veteran wicketkeeper broke a cheekbone during Aberdeenshire's SNCL victory over Ayr on Saturday after a delivery deflected off batsman Niall McCrossin's pads.

He said: "I feared the worst because I thought my nose might be spread across my face. I have to see a specialist on Thursday. There is a break, but it doesn't feel too bad and, as long as I don't need surgery, I should be OK for the World Cup. It will take more than a slight fracture to keep me out."