Cricket: Maiden slays Knights

GRANGE wicketkeeper Simon Smith hailed the innings of teammate Gregor Maiden as "one of the best he has seen in club cricket" after the vice-captain's 166 not out led the Capital side to an SNCL Premier Division win over Dunfermline Knights on Saturday.

Maiden's runs at Raeburn Place came off just 151 balls and the superb innings helped Grange post 294-8 from their 50 overs. Maiden then went on to take three wickets – all in front of Scotland coach Peter Steindl – as the Knights were 233 all out.

Smith, who batted with Maiden for part of the innings, said: "It was an absolutely brilliant innings and to watch him in full flow is just superb. When I was batting with him he turned to me at one point and said 'I am feeling in really good touch today' – and he certainly was."

The Maiden show helped Grange record their third win from three league matches so far this term and they currently sit second in the table behind Forfarshire. Smith added: "It wasn't the easiest build up to the campaign with little outdoor practice and we have often been slow starters. The club has also been overshadowed by the death of (captain] Sanjay Patel's father, but on the pitch we have all dug in for each other and the team spirit is as strong as ever."

It has been well documented that Grange's bowling attack is perhaps not the strongest in the league, but the bowlers must take credit from the way they performed to restrict the Fifers to 233 after Maiden had blasted the ball to all parts.

Maiden led the way with his 3-28 and the others all bowled cleverly to stop the visitors' run chase 61-runs short despite a superb 101 from Vasu Reddy.

Prior to the game Smith was dropped from the Scotland squad for the three upcoming CB40 matches, starting this coming Sunday away at Leicestershire, in favour of young Arbroath keeper Marc Petrie.

"I was devastated to be dropped and I will be working as hard as ever to get my place back because it means a lot to me. To do that I have to play well for Grange," he said.

This Saturday Grange head to Watsonians for a Capital derby and the Myreside men got their first league win of the season at the weekend. Batting first at Uddingston Watsonians posted 237-7 In reply the hosts were all out for 166, spinner Ross Paxton grabbing 3-28 to keep up his good start to the season.

In the First Division Heriot's won at Ayr by 15-runs. The Goldenacre men looked in trouble, bowled out for just 145, but their bowlers did a great job. New Zealand under-19 spinner Matthew Thomas took four wickets and Jamie Innes three as the hosts were all out for 130.

Penicuik lost to Falkland in the same division, while in the Second Division RH Corstorphine and SMRH both won.