Cricket: Iain proving his Worth

The Raeburn Place outfit sit unbeaten at the top of the table today with Worth a key figure in Saturday's 21-run win over Watsonians at Myreside.

Teenage sensation Olly Hairs (102) and Cameron Coles (95) may have dominated the batting in an impressive total of 286-7 but Grange skipper Sanjay Patel admitted between innings that his side were being stretched on the bowling front with regular seamers Stuart Davidson and Giles Holmes absent for varying reasons and would-be-pro Warren McSkimming, another quickie, injured back in New Zealand and that would be key.

Even then, the fates had more in store with Scotland slow bowler Gregor Maiden damaging a spinning finger in the warm-up to be ruled out of the attack but, cometh the hour ...

Here, the likes of Hairs, Andy Wilson and overseas amateur Worth, from South Africa but whose father, Stephen, hails from Edinburgh produced the goods with their spin attack. Worth said: "It was a good win because we had to rely almost exclusively on spin bowing.

"All the way through it was tight but, once we broke a fourth-wicket partnership (between Craig Wright and Iain Chalmers) which had come together with the total in the eighties, things got more straightforward."

Once Wright departed – bowled by Hairs – to be followed soon after by Euan Stubbs and George Cairns, Watsonians' promise evaporated.

Having brought the run rate down from around ten to seven, it gradually began to climb again and slick Grange fielding restricting opposition boundaries was crucial.

"Only two sixes came off our spin bowling," said Worth aware that Hairs had cleared the boundary twice in three balls at one stage with a straight drive and a mighty pull shot.

A product of the same Dale College as South African Test star Makhaya Ntini, 22-year-old Worth is an all-rounder in every sense.

"Just before coming over, I had attended the Natal Sharks rugby academy as a member of the provincial amateur team either as a stand off, wing or full back. Just before my second set of fees were due, my dad stepped in and questioned whether I'd rather go down that route or take up the chance to spend a few years in Scotland since I have a British passport. I chose Scotland.

"My sister is studying English Literature and Journalism at Napier University and I have an uncle in Livingston so there is plenty of family around as well as a good friend, Preston Mommsen, playing at Carlton. I'm looking to stay maybe three years combining cricket with rugby in the winter."

There should be no shortage of rugby offers to a lad whose own business studies were seriously disrupted by facial injuries sustained BMX biking to the extent he required surgery.

Meantime, cricket has priority as he continues to adapt his technique to Scottish wickets.

"In South African cricket with the Natal interior side – we also have a coastal select team – I got through four helmets in a year as a consequence of the ball bouncing much higher and getting up to head height more often.

"As for bowling, its necessary to give the ball a bit more air in Scotland while extra warm-ups are necessary because the game is played in colder weather."

Worth is confident he will keep adapting and has already had a half century at second team level on his Grange debut. As for bowling, opposition teams could soon be set a particular dilemma.

"So far I have only bowled right handed but I am working hard on producing spin deliveries out of my left hand as well. Maybe one day I'll switch from one hand to the other in a league match..."