Cricket: Returns of English and Lyons boost Carlton squad

CARLTON have received a major boost as they bid to open their Premiership cricket account at home to Greenock.

The Grange Loan side welcome back former captain Cedric English, who missed the start of the season due to a calf injury.

Ross Lyons is released from the Saltires squad that heads for Leicestershire so Carlton look in solid shape albeit Gordon Drummond is on national duty.

However, skipper Fraser Watts says it is one of the club's long-serving stalwarts who is really hitting form, with Jamie Kerr's 109 not out in the defeat at Greaves Clydesdale last week coming off just 77 balls.

Watts said: "We've missed Cedric but Jamie is batting the best I have ever seen him. In particular, his sweep shot is going well and he is always willing to back himself."

Another centurion last week was recent recruit Preston Mommsen and Watts said: "Preston joined us (from RH Corstorphine) with the intention of playing for Scotland and, over the last two months, he has come on a lot."

Overseas amateur Blake Dean, from Australia, marked his home debut with a quick-fire 52 against SMRH in the Scottish Cup and is expected to continue in that vein at league level.

In Division One, Heriot's, fresh from a Scottish Cup win at Watsonians, await one of skipper Steve Knox's old clubs in Stoneywood Dyce.

Knox, who left Stoneywood in 1998, is delighted with the way newcomers have settled in and particularly Matthew Thomas whose spin bowling yielded nine wickets last weekend including the league victory at Ayr last weekend.

"Matthew was delayed by a fortnight on his journey from New Zealand by the ash cloud but he is now making up for lost time."

The Division Two card features RH Corstorphine at home to Weirs while SMRH and Imans Edinburgh visit Ferguslie and Kelburne respectively.