Barclays Grange star Stuart Davidson retires

One of the stars of the Capital’s cricketing scene for almost two decades has announced that he has played his last-ever game of first XI cricket.

Stuart Davidson

And Stuart Davidson could not have gone out on a better note, helping Barclays Grange win the Scottish Cup in Stirling against Carlton on Sunday.

Since he arrived in Edinburgh in 1995 all-rounder Davidson, now 41, has been a key member of the Grange side and has played a big part as they have won league titles, Scottish Cups and T20 trophies.

Davidson, who was born in Zimbabwe, said: “When I came to Edinburgh from Kendal I had a look at all of the local clubs and decided that Grange was the place for me.

“In those early years I played with some good players such as Ian Beven, George Salmond and Steve Crawley and we managed to have a bit of success.

“Since then the club has continued to bring through talented youngsters and build a team to challenge for honours.”

On Sunday’s final he added: “I could not have written the script better myself. As the game was edging to a close I took a moment to soak it all up on the boundary and it was great that my wife and children were there to watch.”

Davidson, who earned Scotland caps in 2001, believes that Australian George Bailey is the best pro he played with while closer to home he feels Andy Wilson and Simon Smith have been key to Grange’s successes.

On Sunday’s final he added: “I could not have written the script better myself. As the game was edging to a close I took a moment to soak it all up on the boundary and it was great that my wife and children were there to watch.”

Davidson still feels he has a lot to give to Grange in the coming years and will turn out for the lower XIs and continue to coach the junior section which includes his sons Ben and Dylan.