Carlton batsmen bid to take wind out of Dunfermline's sails

CARLTON opener Preston Mommsen heads into this afternoon's SNCL Premier Division clash with second-placed Dunfermline Knights at Grange Loan in buoyant mood after scoring a superb midweek century for the Scotland Lions.

Mommsen's 100 not out helped the Lions chase down their victory target of 233 on the third day of the match against Leicestershire's second XI on Thursday at Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

It means the former RH Corstorphine man has scored 346 runs in the first month of the season for Carlton and the representative side, and he will be keen to help the Edinburgh club record their third league win of the summer today.

Wicketkeeper Jamie Kerr said: "Preston has started the season superbly for us and he and Fraser Watts really give us a great platform when they open the batting."

The strength of Carlton's batting line-up is shown by the fact that Peter Deakin is likely to bat at six and he already has a 96 not out to his name in the Scottish Cup this term. From the team that defeated McCrea FS West last weekend, Deakin replaces the unavailable Bryn Lockie while Omar Ahmad comes in for Ross Lyons, who is on Scotland duty. The Knights themselves head to the capital in fine fettle having recorded three wins so far on their introduction to the Premier Division. They are unchanged from the team that won against Forfarshire seven days ago.

Leaders Grange will have Chris Murphy keeping wicket if Simon Smith's back injury, sustained on Scotland Lions duty this week, does not improve.

Recalled Scotland all-rounder Gregor Maiden will be replaced by the experienced Mike Powell, while Henry Edwards is also in. McCrea FS West head east without Dougie Lockhart and Gordon Goudie, while they have been without Kiwi pro Leighton Burtt for the last two weeks as they have slipped to ninth place.

Third-placed Forfarshire are boosted by the inclusion of skipper Ryan Watson for their home clash with Aberdeenshire at Forthill. Watson was unable to travel with Scotland for their double header tomorrow and Monday against Hampshire and Kent due to work commitments, but is able to fulfil club duties.

Aberdeenshire travel south missing Colin Smith due to work, but Papua New Guinea internationalist Willie Gavera returns to bolster the bowling attack after injury.

Watsonians head to Greenock with captain Steve Paige and vice-captain Euan Stubbs both unavailable. However, stand-in skipper Tim Weston will have been delighted to see Ryan Flannigan score 82 for the Scotland Lions on Thursday and he is able to call upon George Cairns who scored 161 not out for the second XI last week.

Scotland cap Ewan Chalmers also returns to the middle order after St Andrews University exams, with Cairns keeping wicket in the absence of Stubbs.

For the winless hosts, Shailesh Prabhu is out and Ryan Begley comes in, while skipper Kevin McLaren will be looking to build on two half centuries so far since his return to Glenpark.

Clydesdale were disappointed with their performance in last week's defeat at Myreside to Watsonians, but have kept faith in the same XI as they get ready to host Uddingston at Titwood. Greig Williamson goes into the match joint top – with Tyler Buchan of Aberdeenshire – of the wicket-taking list with 11.

Uddingston are looking for their third win on the spin with bowlers Gavin Bradley and Sameer Zia on top form. Bradley won the game for his side in the last over against Aberdeenshire last week with the wicket of Stuart Coertzer.