Cricket: Kerr believes Carlton will thrive again

CARLTON will head into the Cricket Scotland Eastern Premier Division opener with Heriot’s at Goldenacre this afternoon in good form – and one of their most experienced campaigners cannot wait to get the league campaign under way.

The Grange Loan outfit had a great year in 2011, winning both the SNCL Premier Division and the Murgitroyd T20 National tournament, and with the additions they have made over the winter start favourites in the new-look eight-team league.

When their team is headed up by the Scotland trio of Fraser Watts, Preston Mommsen and Gordon Drummond, other players are often forgotten, but Jamie Kerr’s influence cannot be underestimated.

The 36-year-old wicketkeeper and middle order batsman said: “I am still really enjoying my cricket and winning the league last year gave us all a great boost. As long as I am still contributing I am delighted to be involved and although we lost Cedric English [to SMRH] the players that have come in have really impressed me, as have our youngsters.”

Australian overseas amateur Michael Herdman, who took 5-6 against Greenock in the cup a fortnight ago, and John Hutton, who joined from Drumpellier, are both left arm seamers who have added a different dimension to the bowling attack. They have helped augment the loss of Ali Evans, while spinner Umair Mohammad took five wickets last week against Falkland and was one of the captures of the winter. The likes of coach Toby Bailey have also added to the batting line-up. Heriot’s, for whom overseas amateur Bradley Kneebone has made an impressive start, head into this one on the back of three Scottish Cup wins.

With the likes of David Ross and Cameron Farrell having returned to the club this season, their batting unit looks strong and it promises to be an intriguing contest.

Elsewhere on the opening day Arbroath will be without Scotland cap Calvin Burnett when they host Aberdeenshire at Lochlands. The younger Burnett brother has mumps while his older brother Fraser - who is the captain - will also be without batsman Ross McLean who has hurt his ankle.

Aberdeenshire travel south with pro Harsha Cooray having taken four wickets last week to help defeat West Lothian in the cup.

Teenage talents George Munsey, an Australian age-grade cap, and Duncan Player will be ones to watch out for as Grange host Stoneywood-Dyce in the Capital.

Watsonians were due to welcome Forfarshire to Myreside, but rain saw the match called off yesterday afternoon.