Mitchell urges hosts Clydesdale to 'mirror intensity' of leaders

Published on Friday 3 July 2009 23:13

HAVING captained Aberdeenshire during a six-year spell at Mannofield, Colin Mitchell is looking forward to renewing some acquaintances when the leaders visit Clydesdale.

After heading back to Glasgow, Mitchell also led Clydesdale to successes and is now part of their off-field organisation. The Titwood men have been going steadily in recent weeks, though their league game against Grange was postponed last Saturday, while they got a bye into the second round of the Scottish Cup when Poloc withdrew from the competition in protest at Cricket Scotland's decision to put all the blame on them when the teams disagreed on the state of the Shawholm wicket a couple of weeks ago.

As far as Mitchell is concerned, that is now "a closed book and we look forward to playing against the pacesetters".

He added: "They have been playing really well and while player-coach Neil MacRae is a bit of a maverick, he has galvanised team spirit and they will be a difficult side to beat.

"We hope to mirror their intensity, and if we can overcome them, it will be a great boost for us. There's no real stand-out team in the league, even allowing for Aberdeenshire's great start, and any of the top five or six clubs could emerge as champions."

Mitchell believes Clydesdale's steady run is partly due to the re-emergence of captain Kasim Farid, who has matured this season and, at the age of 23, has his best days still to come. They show two changes, with Greig Williamson in for Majid Haq, on Scotland duty at Mannofield, and Andy Hislop keeping wicket in place of Haroon Sher.

Aberdeenshire captain Matthew Hays won't need help in motivating his colleagues this afternoon, just reminding them that Clydesdale are the only side to have beaten them this season. "We actually threw it away in the first game, needing only four runs off the last two overs and with two wickets remaining. But we are a much better team now, though playing them at home will be a huge test for us." Unfortunately, Chris West, who claimed five wickets last Saturday in the win over Uddingston, is unavailable, Kevin Thomson replacing him, but Colin Smith returns after a lengthy absence, and either he or young Matthew Cross will keep wicket.

Grange, up to second place again, are without Neil McCallum, Simon Smith and Stuart Moffat for their away fixture against Uddingston. But Gregor Maiden makes a timely return, while teenager Oliver Hair, the Merchiston Castle captain, is now free to stake a claim for an extended run in the side. Stuart Davidson, out for month injured, could also make a comeback.

Heriot's opening batsmen Steve Knox and Qasim Ashraf, who arrived this season from Edinburgh CC, have been knocking up the runs in recent games and, according to club president, Ronnie McIntyre, he hopes his side will again bat first against Ayr at Goldenacre. "We appear to be better at setting a target, not chasing runs," he said. "We set Greenock 185 to win last weekend, and bowled them out for 179, a great team effort."

Ayr's openers Michael Papps and Andy McElnea also batted well last Saturday and, after nine defeats on the trot, the visitors are hoping their fortunes will change this afternoon.

Carlton, at home to Greenock, welcome back one of their coaches, Rob Thornton, for his first league game this season, and also Bryn Lockie, who replace the Scotland duo of Fraser Watts and Gordon Drummond. Greenock, who have slumped to second bottom, will be making changes, but won't decide their line-up until today.

In the remaining game, Watsonians host McCrea FS West and there could be plenty of runs scored at Myreside.