Cricket: New bat drives Gregor Maiden towards a Saltires recall

FOR big-hitting Gregor Maiden, there is a silver lining to his absence from the Saltires scene this season.

The 86-times capped all-rounder lines up for Grange at Watsonians tomorrow fresh from his career-best knock of 166 not out against Dunfermline.

And he said: "I put that innings partly down to finally having to buy a new bat.

"In recent years I've been fortunate to receive sponsored bats but, when I went south to attend a wedding recently, I dropped in at a bat factory and splashed out a considerable sum.

"The bat I'm using felt a bit special from the start and all my team-mates are now looking closely and wondering about it's properties! It's certainly done my confidence no harm."

Maiden's total – more than double his 2009 league top score of 77 – came off 151 balls and must have put him in the frame for a Saltires recall, especially as it was 23 runs higher than last year's league best of 143 not out by Cedric English (Carlton).

Maiden, who hasn't played for Scotland since 2008, said: "My problem latterly has been consistency but, if I can maintain this form, hopefully I will be considered again."

Tomorrow, Maiden will want to help Grange erase the memory of a heavy defeat at Myreside last year when they were dismissed for 51 chasing 233-8.

He said: "Over the winter Stuart Chalmers moved from Grange to Watsonians and we have to be wary of him as well as other experienced campaigners such as Craig Wright and Steve Paige while Paddy Saddler is one of the best young bowlers around."

Grange have opened with three league wins but are missing Stuart Davidson and fellow internationalist Stuart Moffat, while the search for a pro to replace the injured Warren McSkimming continues. Young all-rounder Ken Rae steps up.

Watsonians had a six-wicket win over RH Corstorphine in the Murgitroyd Masterton Trophy this week and field the side which claimed a notable league scalp at Uddingston last time.

Skipper Steve Paige says: "Our batsmen gave us a solid foundation with each getting at least twenty and some going on from there. We did well at home to Grange last season but that is in the past."