Cricket: Heriot's skipper Knox to play despite broken back

Heriot's skipper Steve Knox, who has represented Saltires 20 times, returns for Heriot's tomorrow against FS McCrae West at Goldenacre despite having made the discovery following extensive hospital tests.

Knox, whose overall Premiership run tally of 4428 which places him into the all-time top ten was compiled with Grange before joining his present club, said: "While missing the last two Heriot's games I've had MRI scans which showed several fractures on the vertebrae of my lower back. It seems the fractures could have occurred any time in the last 20 years during which I've bowled as well as batted, played semi-pro football and suffered a car crash.

"So the injury is not necessarily attributable to cricket but the main thing is I've been told that rather than go under the knife I can protect the damaged area with an exercise programme so there are hopefully a few more runs left in me."

The return of Knox, pictured below, for a match which gets under way at noon, one hour ahead of the normal start time, should further fortify a Heriot's side who have won their last two matches even if they experienced a scare towards the end of last week's victory over Aberdeenshire who put on 57 for the last wicket only for Chris West to be out six short after a bouncer from Sean Weeeraratna was deflected by his arm on to the stumps.

Praising the way Heriot's held their nerve, Knox made special mention of Peter Ross.

"It was quite an achievement for Peter to get three half centuries in a week taking into account our midweek Murgitroyd Masterton Trophy victory over Holy Cross while Adam Lockhart-Krause added to the two centuries scored for Heriot's last season and Andre van Niekirk had 2-21 from a ten-over stint split between the start and finish of their innings."

The day's top game is at Grange Loan where unbeaten Carlton's contest with Watsonians will resemble an international trial with a string of Saltires turning out on either side.

For Carlton, further momentum should be generated by the return of Fraser Watts, Preston Mommsen and Gordon Drummond from international duty while Jimmy Guest, Nathan Pietsch and Nick Hunt drop out.

A Carlton centurion last weekend, Steve Gilmour, says: "A big emphasis will be placed on making sure our mental attitude is right after starting off so well."

Watsonian captain Craig Wright is able to include Paddy Saddler fresh from helping Cambridge University defeat Surrey with Ryan Flannigan returning from international duty. "Raj Routray and James Easton drop out reflecting the real strength we have in our squad" said Wright.

Elsewhere, Barclay's Wealth Grange attempt to end Forfarshire's 100 per cent record at Broughty Ferry.

SMRH head for Dumfries in the Championship confident after victory at Penicuik and skipper Greg Bisset says: "Ed Pickmere makes a top-team debut and 18-year-old batsman TJ Beattie will play for the first time this year having returned from University. We've never won at Dumfries. However, there's a great spirit and determination about the club which has enabled us come out on the right side of a couple of very close matches."

RH Corstorphine visit Freuchie with Gordon Allan and David Ross returning for the unavailable Ozzy Malik and Kevin Meir.

More than 500 runs were scored on Corstorphine's home track at Barnton last week and, while falling 18 runs short of Kelburne, the club president, Arnie Sathiy, saw positives. With Robert More and Jason Biddulph batting well we were in the hunt but Jason damaged his hamstring and lost mobility."

Edinburgh Accies are at near full strength for a home clash with bottom placed Stenhousemuir then undertake a Scottish Cup tie at Gala 24 hours later before visiting Carlton in the Murgitroyd Masterton Trophy on Tuesday.