Cricket: Chalmers junior in for Watsonians

By Gary Heatly
Published on 28/07/2012 00:21

ONE brother replaces another in the Watsonians line-up this afternoon as the Myreside men welcome Grange in the Cricket Scotland Eastern Premier League top-of-the-table clash.

Both sides recorded victories in the league seven days ago to make sure they go into this Capital clash unbeaten, while both also recorded knock-out wins last Sunday, Watsonians progressing to the last four of the Scottish Cup after defeating Renfrew and Grange getting the better of Dumfries in the Cricket Scotland Trophy.

Something will have to give today, though, and it is shaping up to be an intriguing battle. Andrew Chalmers, 21, comes into the home batting unit with his older brother Ewan, the vice-captain, called up by the Saltires for tomorrow’s match in Wales.

The younger Chalmers, who scored 88 for the second XI last weekend against Largo after recovering from injury, comes into a side for whom Andrew Fraser-Harris is in flying form. Last weekend he hit 46 in the league against Forfarshire and followed it up 24 hours later with 71 not out and 2-27 against Renfrew in the cup.

With opening bowler Paddy Sadler away to Australia for the Under-19 World Cup, Alec Sim is added to the side.

Before he departed for Wales, Ewan Chalmers said: “We were pleased with the two results we got last weekend. On Saturday it was good to win another tight match while we felt Renfrew was a tough trip, but we played good cricket and progressed.

“The wins have given the guys a bit of confidence, but we know that Grange always provide a tough test.” Grange travel to Myreside without Scotland under-19 batsman Henry Edwards and wicketkeeper Simon Smith (a member of the under-19 coaching staff).

However, they have plenty of other players who can step up to first-team level and, in Gregor Maiden and Sanjay Patel, they have a solid and experienced opening batting partnership.

Elsewhere in the division, third-placed Heriot’s host Stoneywood-Dyce fresh from a last-ball win over Carlton last week..

Fifth-placed Carlton head to Arbroath with the hosts looking to build on last week’s victory at Aberdeenshire.

Sean Olivier will be hoping to keep the opening bowler role for Carlton after claiming seven wickets in a Scottish Cup win over Clydesdale six days ago.

And finally, Aberdeenshire welcome Forfarshire to Mannofield.