Nel ready for second debut as Watsonians host Heriot’s

Former Scotland seamer Dewald Nel looks set to make his ‘second debut’ for Watsonians against one of his former clubs this afternoon in the Cricket Scotland Eastern Premier League.

Thirty-one-year-old Nel, who is now head of youth coaching at Myreside, played for ‘Sonians a few years ago and indeed helped them to win the SNCL First Division in 2000. He returned to the capital outfit over the winter, but prior to the only 50-over match the club have completed this term, against Dumfries in the Scottish Cup, he was forced to pull out late on due to injury.

He has been listed in the team for today’s home clash with Heriot’s though and will be looking to get his season up and running with a bang.

The XI named also includes Scotland under-19 man Pete Legget and new recruit Andy Hislop. Heriot’s skipper Steve Knox believes his side need to improve in both the bowling and the batting stakes if they are to win.

The Goldenacre outfit’s opening fixture a fortnight ago with Carlton was rained off while seven days ago they put themselves in a good position to defeat Stoneywood-Dyce only for their batting to implode as they were all out for 51.

The captain said: “We did bowl well in patches to get Stoneywood-Dyce all out for 138, but within that total we gave away 41 extras that included 28 wides. That must change this week and when we create pressure, for example we had Stoneywood-Dyce 38 for five, we have to keep it up and press home the advantage. In terms of batting we never got going last week, but the guys have been working hard in the nets and we are looking forward to the Watsonians match.”

The experienced Kevin McLaren and Scotland Lions man Keith Morton return to the Heriot’s team this week having been at the Scottish Cup final at Hampden last week while bowler Azhar Abid is promoted from the seconds.

Elsewhere in the division today Aberdeenshire, who have beaten the weather and their opponents in recent weeks to post two wins from two, host Grange at Mannofield.

Last week’s hero for them was Sri Lankan professional Harsha Cooray who took five wickets in the victory over Forfarshire. Hailed more for his batting than his bowling when he arrived on these shores his off-spinners may now be used regularly by skipper Tyler Buchan.

Grange head north having not played a league match as yet and captain Neil McCallum has a near full-strength team at his disposal with Australian teenage prospect George Munsey given a chance to show what he can do.

Stoneywood-Dyce head for Carlton on a high after last week’s win and the hosts will be blooding a number of youngsters. Kyle McPherson, Matt Wells and ‘Cheeky’ Gosain are all involved for Carlton with Wells set to keep wicket in the absence of Jamie Kerr.

In the final match Arbroath host Forfarshire in a fascinating tussle with the latter keen to bounce back from last week’s loss.