Cricket: Winter down under helps Evans sparkle for Carlton

Batting first, Carlton made an imposing 284-8 - Cedric English smashing a superb 127 - before bundling the Aberdeen outfit out for 148 to secure a 136-run victory and second spot in the fledging table of the revamped 16-team league.

During Stoneywood-Dyce's reply 22-year-old Scotland cap Evans took just one wicket, but it was his control and the way he set an example to the rest of the bowling attack that impressed Watts.

Evans, who is on the fringes of the national set-up and won his first caps back in 2009, spent the winter playing cricket in Adelaide for Northern Districts and Watts believes that spell has really benefited the tall seamer.

Watts said: "I was pleased with the whole team on Saturday, we put in a decent performance, but for me Ali really stood out. He has come back from Australia with a real purpose to his bowling and a discipline and maturity that I haven't seen from him before.

"With Charles Legget still away at university, Mo Habib having gone home to Afghanistan and the likes of Gordon Drummond and Preston Mommsen on Scotland duty Ali has stepped up to the plate and looks keen to become the focal point of our attack.

"And if he can build on his showing against Stoneywood-Dyce and put a string of good performances together then there is no reason why he cannot put himself in the frame for a Scotland recall later in the summer."

Without Drummond, Mommsen and Legget already, Carlton's plans for Saturday's opener were hit by the late call-off of Omar Ahmad, but once Watts and English took to the crease all their worries disappeared. The experienced duo put on over 150 for the first wicket on a belter of a pitch which was augmented by a lightning quick outfield.

Watts struck a composed 89, while English simply carried on where he left off last season. In the last match of 2010 he hit 146 against Aberdeenshire at Mannofield and at the weekend he was once again at his sublime best showing that despite the fact he is unlikely to bowl much this term due to a bad back his batting will still be crucial to Carlton's season.

"Cedric is a quality cricketer as he has shown over a number of years and it was great to watch on Saturday. There are always a few nerves around on the first day of the season, so for myself and him to be able to kick things off with a good partnership was important," Watts said.

With Watts and English eventually both back in the pavilion the Carlton innings slowed down somewhat and a score that had at one point looked like it may be well over 300 ended on 284-8 after 50 overs. And although he only scored eight on this occasion, it was pleasing to see Carlton putting their faith in young batsman Nik Hunt in the key number four position.

He has had a number of games for the first XI over the last few years, and with a lot of talent to offer maybe a more regular run of appearances beckons this time around.

As Stoneywood-Dyce started their reply Watts decided to open the bowling with his part-time spin.

A number of countries used this ploy during the recent World Cup to take the pace off the ball and while it did not really work for the hosts this time the bowling attack were soon causing the northerners problems.

Wickets fell at regular intervals with only Scotland cap Jan Stander providing any real resistance with a decent 53.

He eventually fell to Carlton overseas amateur Jason Trembath and the Kiwi showed enough in his spell to suggest that he will be another useful player this term.

The young spinner ended up with 4-28, while Nathan Pietsch took 3-35 and Evans, Watts and Rich Metcalfe all took one wicket apiece.

This coming weekend Carlton are away to Drumpellier who beat Dunfermline on Saturday.