Heriot’s can’t afford to take Arbroath lightly

While Heriot’s have won their last two league games to climb the table, Arbroath sit firmly anchored at the foot, the only team still to record a victory.

But Knox, who again misses out due to injury, insists: “Arbroath have much more batting ability than a lot of teams in this competition.

“Also, Calvin Burnett is proving one of the best all-rounders on the scene and Benny McGill is always extremely dangerous with the new ball.”

In fact, last time out Burnett claimed the wickets of three Grange internationalists – Gregor Maiden, Sanjay Patel and Neil McCallum – and he has spent part of this week turning out for a Scottish Lions XI against MCC at Ayr.

“Arbroath are one of those teams we seem to come up against regularly; when we were relegated a while back it was Arbroath who were promoted as champions with us as runners-up. So, we know plenty about each other which will make tomorrow’s encounter all the more intriguing.”

In Knox’s absence the captaincy again stays with Sean Weeraratna while compared to the side that played last time out Ali Farooq and Calum McDougall step up for Craig MacKellar and Jed Case.

Joint leaders Watsonians are due to head north for the third successive weekend, this time to face Aberdeenshire.

Returning are Mike Legget and wicket-keeper Fraser Boyd but James Easton is still struggling with a hamstring injury.

The last two teams to capture the now defunct National League title – Carlton and Grange – clash at Raeburn Place and in the previous encounter at that venue the visitors notched a stunning nine-wicket victory based on centuries for Steve Gilmour and Cedric English who are both absent tomorrow.

GIlmour is unavailable due to coaching duties at Merchiston Castle School while English is plying his craft in the First Division with SMRH.

However, there is still plenty of threat from a Carlton side among whom Omar Ahmad is fresh from a five-wicket haul when Aberdeenshire were repelled last time out although youngsters Cheeky Gosain and Kyle Macpherson are away.

Carlton skipper Fraser Watts says: “The Grange player we really have to watch out for is Simon Smith who is in some of the best form of his life. Raj Routray is also making an impact with the ball and he can cause problems if allowed.”

Tomorrow, SMRH entertain Fauldhouse with skipper Mark Burgess remarking: “We include Steven Parker to strengthen our batting and Ali Khan having a chance to get more overs under his belt in the second team as he has been limited to single spells. In terms of his development we would like him to get a bit more exposure.”

Also in the First Division, RH Corstorphine face Falkland at Inverleith on Sunday, while Edinburgh Accies await West Lothian on Saturday.