Holmes and Wilson make timely return for Grange in key clash

Leaders Grange have key men Giles Holmes and Andy Wilson back as they head for McCrea FS West this afternoon with their two Edinburgh rivals breathing down their necks in the SNCL Premier Division title race.

All-rounder Holmes comes into the line-up in place of Cammy Coles who tweaked his hamstring in last week's win over Greenock while experienced spinner Wilson replaces Drew Weir.

Teenage batsman Oli Hairs has been left out of the Scotland squad for the two CB40 matches this weekend so will also head to Hamilton Crescent on club duty.

Last weekend Watsonians' two wins left Grange top only on net run rate while Carlton are third, setting up the top flight nicely for a grand finale on August 28.

Grange captain Sanjay Patel, who hopes to have Coles, Gregor Maiden and Stuart Davidson back next week, said: "We scrapped out a victory last weekend when we were missing a few players and we now have to focus again for what looks like being an exciting few weeks."

McCrea FS West will again be without Dougie Lockhart and Gordon Goudie this week, while Moneeb Iqbal is also on Scotland duty and Ian Young and his team know they will need to improve on last week's poor show at Carlton.

Watsonians welcome back Scotland under-19 captain Paddy Sadler after he led his team to European glory in Belfast earlier in the week when they host Greenock at Myreside.

Craig Wright, the Scotland under-19 coach, and left-arm seamer Mike Legget also return meaning that Ally Fleming, Nick Boorman and Raj Routray drop out from the team that defeated the National Academy last Sunday.

Watsonians captain Steve Paige said: "I have had tough selection decisions this week, but it is great to have competition for places. We are looking no further than this match."

Greenock travel east for the second week in a row, but this time without Richie Berrington. Hong Kong international Courtney Kruger will be looking to build on last week's good showing in defeat to Grange. For National Twenty20 champions Carlton stand-in skipper Steve Gilmour gives a top flight debut to talented teenager Rajan Bhopal as they prepare to do without their four Scotland men for the trip to Dunfermline Knights.

All-rounder Bhopal has played for the Scotland under-17 side this term and scored 55 not out two weeks ago for the second XI. He is joined in the team by Oli Tame, Nathan Pietsch and Tom Clarke.

Carlton are likely to be hardest hit in the title run-in with Scotland call-ups, but Gilmour said: "It gives other guys the chance to step up and we are confident we can keep up our good form."

Dunfermline Knights are fourth and still harbour title hopes of their own.One change for them sees Yasir Arfat return to the team for what promises to be a cracker.

Forfarshire head north to take on Aberdeenshire with Scotland under-19 man Aman Bailwal back in the ranks.

He performed well for the age-grade side in Belfast and it will be a boost for captain Ryan Watson to have him available with both Graeme Quinn and Matthew Parker missing. Aberdeenshire have Bailwal's international team mate Matt Cross back for the Mannofield encounter.

At Bothwell Castle two of the hardest-hitting opening batsmen in the country will look to lead their respective sides to victory when Uddingston take on Clydesdale.

Paul Hoffman always looks to get Uddingston off to a quick start as does fellow ex-Scotland man Greig Williamson for the visitors, who will be missing Scotland man Majid Haq.

Tomorrow Greenock take on the National Academy.