Cricket: Intriguing prospect as clubs launch new-look league

It's all change, as the newly-constituted SNCL second-tier Championship of 15 clubs kicks off with a number of intriguing fixtures. Burgeoning Dumfries, convincing Second Division champions last term, aim to continue their upward climb at Scroggie Park against Falkland.

The Nunholm men call upon the proven old guard of captain Stuart Corbett-Byers, all-rounders Davie Davidson, Scott Beveridge and Jim Patterson, allied to a rich crop of talented youngsters headed by Scotland U19 batsman Tom McBride, and emergent teenage bowler Niall Alexander. Falkland, skippered by experienced Ryan Hepburn, again look to be heavily dependent on prolific Sri Lankan pro Harsha Cooray, their top batter last year with 768 runs, and second-top wicket-taker.

Rejuvenated Ferguslie, who finished last year's campaign strongly, host enigmatic SMRH at Meikleriggs, their confidence high with the re-signing of Indian pro Prav Mullick, who notched more than 800 runs last term. Also available for skipper Stuart Kennedy are two talented youngsters who missed much of last season through injury, batsman Gregor Preston-Jones and seamer Jamie Carruthers. SMRH, captained by Greg Bissett, still await the arrival of Kiwi pro George Worker, but can now call upon Aussie overseas amateur Braydon Tracey and ex-Heriot's stalwart Raja Javed.

High-flying newcomers East Kilbride, promoted on the back of winning the Western Union, make the testing journey to RH Corstorphine with a totally revamped side. In come Harry Singh and Craig Smith, signed from Clydesdale, Johnny Watkins, ex-Weirs, and, most surprisingly, 63 times capped ex-Saltires spinner Ross Lyons. They face a stern challenge from an underrated Barnton outfit, who have recruited three new players from Edinburgh CC in Abdul Majeed, Graven Gonsalves and Kashif Hussain, alongside ex-West man Jamie Burton. Impressive Jason Biddulph returns as overseas amateur.

Poloc, again skippered by Matt Coyle, welcome back last year's overseas amateur Carl Huyser, this time as coaching professional, and should be too strong for visiting Penicuik, against whom free-scoring Huyser notched two centuries last season. Tinus Huyser, Carl's younger brother, also joins up at Shawholm from Weirs as overseas amateur. Another ex-Weirs arrival is talented top-order batsman Hassan Akram.

Penicuik who endured a wretched 2010 campaign, finishing bottom in the First Division, will be hoping for a significant upturn in their fortunes, but will be without last year's skipper Keith Morton, off to Heriot's.

Kelburne introduce 15-year old wicketkeeper Jak O'Connell for the visit of Weirs. The Whitehaugh club, who only retained their SNCL status through a play-off win against Strathmore Union side Strathearn, welcome back for his 19th year in Scotland Guyanan pro David Harper, and are further boosted by the arrival from Kilmarnock of wily veteran off-spinner Javed Ashraf. Weirs reintroduce ex-West slow-medium bowler Mark Gilchrist as captain, but South African pro all-rounder Ruan du Plessis from Gauteng may have to delay his debut.

Freuchie, captained again by ex-Scotland stalwart Davie Cowan, but without Scott Galloway who has switched to Premiership Forfarshire, face a fascinating tussle with West Lothian, who have Kruger van Wyk back as pro, but will miss departed seam bowler Tony McKenna.

Renfrew, who have added experienced campaigner Mo Ramzan to their already formidable ranks, should prove too strong for visitors Edinburgh Accies, led by Kean Woodmansey on their SNCL return. Stenhousemuir face a blank first Saturday following the departure from the competition of Edinburgh CC due to ground problems.