Seam bowler returns for Watsonians

Published on Thursday 29 July 2010 11:51

Watsonians youngster Paddy Sadler was delighted to lead his country to European cricketing glory earlier this week - and now he has refocused his energies on helping the Capital club keep up their SNCL Premier Division title challenge when they host Greenock tomorrow.

Seam bowler Sadler led by example in Belfast as Scotland under-19s were crowned European champions, taking 15 wickets as the side won all their matches to progress to the next stage of World Cup qualification.

And the teenager returns on a high to the Watsonians line-up for the crucial match against the bottom side.

He said: "It was a brilliant time away with the under-19s, we gained a lot of confidence from battling hard to beat Ireland in our opening match and we went on from there. We are quite a new squad, but we built up a good team spirit quickly and enjoyed playing cricket together. Now it is back to club duty and I am equally as excited about playing for Watsonians over the next few weeks, which are crucial.

"We are back to full strength this week and the guys did brilliantly last weekend to get two wins (against Clydesdale and the National Academy] so the team will be buzzing."

Sadler, who has taken 11 wickets in his first season in the top flight since joining from RH Corstorphine over the winter, is joined in the side by returnees Craig Wright and Mike Legget.

Wright was missing last weekend due to coaching the under-19s, while Legget was in London. Their inclusions left captain Steve Paige with some tough selection calls - Ally Fleming, Nick Boorman and Raj Routray dropping out from Sunday's win over the National Academy - and it will be interesting to see if Sadler and Legget open the bowling once again.

Two weeks ago against Grange, they did just that with Sadler picking up 1-11 and Legget 2-33.

"Not many clubs could afford to leave a player of Raj Routray's quality out of their first XI so it shows the strength in depth we have at Myreside when everyone is available, added Sadler.

"The second XI are top of their league and the emphasis at the club is on the whole squad of players rather than just 11 guys."

Greenock travel east having pushed Grange close at Raeburn Place last week and captain Kevin McLaren, a former Heriot's skipper, will be eager to lead his side to only their second league win of 2010.

Edinburgh's two other title challengers, Grange and Carlton, are both on the road tomorrow and are missing their Scotland players.

Grange, who top the table by net run rate over Watsonians, head for McCrea FS West without Neil McCallum, who is in Scotland's CB40 game against Durham, but they will be pleased with the way new pro Roy Adams has settled. The South African took four wickets against Greenock last time out in only his second game for the club and he will spearhead the attack at Hamilton Crescent. Batsman Henry Edwards will also be pushing for a place after Scotland under-19 duty.

Carlton face a tough test at McKane Park against Dunfermline Knights without Gordon Drummond, Fraser Watts, Preston Mommsen and Ross Lyons. However, they will be on a high after last Sunday's National Twenty20 finals day victory and, in overseas amateur Blake Dean, they have an on-form batsman who can be destructive.

He may be hoisted up the batting order to open in the absence of Watts and Mommsen, while seamer Mohammed Habib is pushing for a place after taking a bagful of wickets for the second XI recently.

In the First Division, leaders Heriot's head to Stirling County. In the win against the same opposition earlier in the summer, Adam Lockhart-Krause smashed 147 and he needs just 20 more runs to reach 600 for the league season. Penicuik host in-form Stoneywood-Dyce.

In the Second Division, both SMRH and RH Corstorphine are going looking for their fourth wins in July. SMRH, for whom bowler Will Jackson has been in good form, host Weirs with RH Corstorphine away to Renfrew. Edinburgh are away at Freuchie sitting bottom of the table with just three wins to their name.

"Not many clubs could afford to leave a player of Raj Routray's quality out of their first XI"

paddy sadler