Dumfries skipper wary of riding wave of hype to Stirling
This means the XI that trounced Clydesdale by 98 runs last Saturday go in once again, as Byers, while pleased, is determined to be unfazed by the hype accompanying the Nunholm outfit’s start: “Our aim remains precisely the same, to continue to focus on playing hard, competitive cricket, game by game.”
Byers will again look to young opener Chris Bellwood to anchor the innings as he did so successfully against Clydesdale with a fighting 99: “Our next top score was just 15. It was as if Chris was playing on a different wicket from everyone else. In some very testing conditions for batting he timed his innings perfectly, and the only shame was he didn’t finally reach the coveted three figures.”
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Hide AdThe Dumfries cause is helped by the absence from a mercurial Stirling side of blossoming all-rounder Josh Edwards, who grabbed the Man of the Match award in the Scottish Development XI’s in impressive defeat of a strong Durham Academy team, but unfortunately sustained an injury in the process.
Skipper Gavin Anderson is confident, though, that his team’s nice blend of hard-nosed experience and callow youth can provide a stiff test for the Benfield Park leaders.
Unbeaten West of Scotland, further buoyed by last week’s spirited 42-run eclipse of fancied Uddingston, aim to maintain their own challenge when they visit enigmatic Drumpellier. The Hamilton Crescent men, who make just one change, Jatinder Singh coming in for unavailable Gregg Watson, will benefit from the unavailability of talismanic Drumps skipper Graeme McLaren, replaced by young Darren Pryde, but are wary that Langloan is always a challenging venue, especially with pro Naz Hussain, scorer of a scintillating 79 from 65 balls in a recent West League Cup clash with Stenhousemuir, and recent recruit Rashid Yousuf in the Coatbridge team.
Uddingston vice-captain Bryan Clarke reports a renewed vigour at training as the Bothwell side endeavour to get their league campaign belatedly underway against winless visitors Greenock. Gav Bradley returns for namesake Main, on trial at Durham, while struggling Glenpark pro Mpho Sekhoto will surely benefit from some overdue sun on his back, and Richie Berrington will relish going head to head against Saltires colleague Calum Macleod.
Finally, selection problems continue to mount for doughty Ayr captain Mark Renny for the journey to Titwood. Still without a pro, the New Cambusdoon men have now lost the services of teenage appendicitis victim Calum McLaughlin, whose fifty at number 4 last week was instrumental in Greenock’s downfall. Unconvincing Clydesdale, who, according to coach Colin Mitchell, ‘urgently need to adopt a more disciplined approach to their batting’, are strengthened by the return of ex-captain Kasim Farid and emerging youngster Lyle Hill.