Cricket: Scotland shadow side squander good start against Irish

By DAVID KELSO
Published on 13/06/2012 01:10

SCOTLAND’S shadow cricketers surrendered the initiative to their Irish counterparts at Uddingston last night.

The hosts had looked on course to take control of the three-day contest – only to lose two crucial wickets in quick succession. Tayside pair Aman Bailwal and Calvin Burnett stunned the visitors with three scalps apiece to send them sliding to 181 all out.

However, when Moneeb Iqbal and Ewan Chalmers perished in quickfire order in the wake of a half-century stand, the contest was back in the melting pot.

The Scots will resume today at Bothwell Castle Policies on 181 for six.

The picture would have been ever more bleak for the Irish had it not been for a rugged 42 by veteran World Cup hero Trent Johnston, who made 42 not out.

Ryan Flannigan and Chalmers got the home reply off to a solid start by putting on 29 before the former departed for 24 and teenager Andrew Umeed was bowled by Johnston for 11.

Chalmers and Iqbal steadied the ship, but both were back in the hutch with the total on 99. Even worse was to come when Josh Edwards fell for 24 and Michael Leask for 10, leaving Marc Petrie (14no) at the crease with Arbroath team-mate Petrie (16no).

Meanwhile, former Australia batsman Simon Katich has announced his retirement from first-class cricket in his homeland.

The 36-year-old is currently playing county cricket for Hampshire, but had been plying his trade in the Sheffield Shield with New South Wales.

Katich, whose international career ended in some acrimony in 2011 when the selectors opted not to renew his central contract despite his impressive form, has not indicated whether he will continue playing first-class cricket in England at the end of his current deal. He also has a Big Bash contract with Perth Scorchers and may also continue in the shorter format.