Skipper is adamant that Grange's rising star must be nurtured

Oliver Hairs, 19, confirmed his burgeoning talent with a second Premiership century as Grange cemented their place at the top of the Premiership in a 26-run win over Watsonians last weekend.

And for Patel, an innings of 102 to add to the knock of 117 against Heriot's last season was merely the latest evidence that Merchiston Castle schoolboy Hairs is destined for bigger and better cricketing things.

"I know Oliver has his sights set on landing a contract with an English county perhaps via undertaking a degree at a university south of the Border," Patel revealed.

"Cricketing-wise he is certainly going about things the right way with some valuable assistance from his school."

Instead of insisting that Hairs turns out for the school on Saturday afternoons, the master in charge of cricket, Chic Swan, is credited in local cricket circles with putting Hairs' career interests first by allowing him to gain as much valuable Scottish Premiership experience as possible in the hope that it will lead to a contract.

Patel, a former Scotland batsman, adds: "Oliver times the ball really well allowing for the fact he still has a bit to learn.

"But if the powers-that-be allow him to develop and don't rush him then there is every chance he can go a really long way in the game."

Hairs' latest century while opening the batting came off just 117 balls and comprised ten fours and a couple of sixes struck in the same over.

For part of the time, Patel was at the other end keeping a captain's eye on the young prodigy and, when he was out, Cameron Coles arrived to form a 113-run partnership.

That wasn't quite in the class of the third-wicket partnership of 227 forged with Coles against Heriot's in 2009 but, nevertheless, invaluable as a full range of power hitting was displayed as a prelude to picking up a couple of wickets, including that of former Scotland skipper Craig Wright, with his adept display of spin bowling.

Patel added: "It doesn't matter who Oliver is partnering at the crease he is liable to shine and as long as he is handled carefully he'll develop well."

As a highly-qualified coach at Cricket Scotland in charge of community development, 'Sonian skipper Steve Paige could have been excused a wry smile as Hairs added to the top score of 72 when the teams met at the tail end of last season..

And if, understandably, Paige's main concern was ensuring a swift tightening of his team's fielding – "we probably allowed Grange about 25 runs too many" – he also paid tribute to Hairs, saying: "Oliver scores big runs and is looking a lot better batsman this season. He has matured a lot." Others, too, have been sitting up and taking notice including recently retired Scotland all-rounder Paul Hoffman who, at the beginning of this year, told Cricket Scotland's website that Hairs had the makings of becoming a player in the mould of a big-hitting Kiwi star.

"I would give Oli Hairs a shot at Twenty:20 cricket or the odd ODI. Scotland may discover the Caledonian version of Jesse Ryder if they give Oli a chance."

Before then, the Grange club have a problem position to solve since another New Zealander, Warren McSkimming, has been unable to return as a professional due to a back injury.

Despite his absence, Grange have won all four premiership matches to date but Patel is far from sanguine.

"We hope to have a new professional secured by the time we visit Greenock on Saturday," he said.