My first two games were Hairs-raising experiences

Published on Friday 11 July 2008 10:20

GRANGE'S rising cricket star Oliver Hairs geared up for tomorrow's top-of-the-table showdown with Greenock by thanking team-mate and club pro Warren McSkimming for helping him make a huge impression on his debut.

The emergence of Hairs has been one of the features of the Lloyds TSB Premiership season so far after the Scotland under-17 batsman introduced himself with a spirited 53 not out from just 55 balls against Watsonians in his first appearance a fortnight ago.

Then, when Grange went to Ayr last weekend and pulled off the win that moved them to the top of the league, it was Merchiston Castle pupil Hairs who was credited with turning the match when he raced in from deep mid-on to hold a diving catch which removed home pro Matt Horne just as the New Zealand internationalist threatened to take charge.

"Oliver's catch to help oust Horne for 87 when he threatened to secure the win virtually single-handedly was undoubtedly what swung things our way," said Grange spokesman Joe Barrett.

While rightly proud of his achievements, Hairs took time out from helping Scotland under-17s notch their first win in the ECB county championship, at Suffolk, this week to claim that the half century was the more satisfying contribution.

"We were in a bit of bother against Watsonians (102-5) when I came in but Warren kept helping me decide what to do so I think that was more valuable," said Hairs. When the McSkimming/Hairs partnership was eventually broken, Grange stood a much healthier 186-6 and a new prospect had been launched.

What's clear is that Hairs hopes to carry on where he left off at home against the defending champions now that it appears he will be available to play. "There has been some talk about standing down along with the other Scotland under-17 players because of next week's European Championships," he said

"I know, too, that Grange had been looking to discuss this."

In fact, Hairs is named in a side that is missing only Neil McCallum, who is on inter-continental cup duty with Scotland, of their front-liners.

And the youngster makes it clear that, one way or another, he is aiming to spend his future career in the spotlight.

The lad, who first picked up a bat at the Liphook and Rispley cricket club in Hampshire before moving north with his family, said: "I'd love to go all the way and represent the Saltires but, at the same time, it is an ambition of mine to reach the county circuit."

So far so good must be the verdict and it cannot harm his – and Grange's – prospects that Greenock will be shorn of topperformers Richie Berrington, Sean Weeraratna, Dewald Nel and coach Tony Judd – all on Scotland duty.

Not that Barrett takes anything for granted. He added: "The absence of opposition internationalists creates a pressure of expectation, especially with Grange having won at Greenock earlier in the season. Greenock will still be able to call on Craig Wright, amongst others, and we will be treading warily despite being heartened by getting that win at Ayr thanks to the positive attitudes all round that enabled the fixture to beat the rain and be played on a 30-overs-a-side basis."

Elsewhere tomorrow, Watsonians are at Greaves Clydesdale.

'Sonians have picked an unfortunate weekend to be without Gordon Drummond (Scotland duty) as, on Sunday, they entertain Scotland under-19s.

Euan Stubbs takes over the captaincy for the programme of two matches that provides an opportunity to move off the bottom of the table.

Carlton and Heriot's will meet at Goldenacre and on the last occasion the two sides met, the outcome was decided in the Grange Loan club's favour by the Duckworth/Lewis method when rain intervened.

In Division One Penicuik have a quick rematch at home to Forfarshire, who they eliminated from the Scottish Cup last week.

Division Two title challengers RH Corstorphine have a chance to leapfrog second-place Stoneywood-Dyce when they make the long haul to Aberdeen.

In the Capital, SMRH entertain pace-setters Dunfermline while Edinburgh await Falkland.