Jim Guest invited as fringe players fill in for Carlton internationals

Batsman Jim Guest will debut for Carlton as they travel across Edinburgh to take on Grange this afternoon in the SNCL Premiership, with both teams putting their unbeaten records on the line.

Guest - who has moved to the capital for the summer for work reasons from down south - looks set to bat at number four for the Grange Loan men in Stockbridge, while Steve Gilmour skippers the team in the absence of Fraser Watts.

Watts is on Scotland duty, as are Gordon Drummond and Preston Mommsen, meaning that as well as Guest, other fringe players have also been handed a chance to shine.

Teenage batsman Nik Hunt and spinner Amit Bij play after impressive displays for the club's lower XIs in recent weeks.

Before departing on the Scotland trip to Northampton, Watts said: "Myself, Gordon and Preston are obviously disappointed to be missing such a big game, but I have confidence in the players selected to go out and win the game.

"Carlton against Grange matches are always enjoyable and the guys who have been drafted into the team will enjoy playing there under the leadership of our experienced guys."

Grange have experienced duo Stuart Davidson and former Scotland A player Giles Holmes back along with former age-grade spinner Andrew Brock.

They all missed last week's high scoring win at Dunfermline Knights, but this week replace Gregor Maiden, Nick Wickramasinghe and Michael Enos.

In the absence of Maiden and Wickramasinghe, Papua New Guinean teenager Lega Siaka will keep wicket and Grange captain Sanjay Patel said: "To come away last week with a win was a real bonus, given the players that we had missing, and it is pleasing to have some of our key guys back.

"We know it will be a tough test and we are all looking forward to it."

Forfarshire, who have won their two completed matches so far, head to Ayr without Graeme Quinn.

Quinn was on top form seven days ago to take 3-29 in the home victory against Drumpellier, but he is unavailable as is Matthew Parker.

The other unbeaten side Arbroath will be without Scotland man Calvin Burnett, but will go into the home clash with West of Scotland at Lochlands on a high after last week's win at Aberdeenshire.

Watsonians are at home again following last week's convincing win over Stirling County, this time against the Dunfermline Knights.

Ewan Chalmers replaces Scotland team-mate Ryan Flannigan in the batting line-up, with teenage seamer Alec Sim set to keep his place in the starting XI at Myreside.Last week, the Knights gave a surprise debut to 21-year-old South African Wynand Schmitt, who had only arrived in the country the day before the match.

He wasted no time in stamping his authority on Scottish cricket, hitting 72 runs and keeping wicket tidily, and he will be looking to continue where he left off today.

Heriot's have a decision to make as to who will open the batting for them against Aberdeenshire. at Goldenacre, with captain Steve Knox still out with a back injury and Keith Morton at a wedding.

Drumpellier and Uddingston have both won one out of three matches so far and square up at Langloan, while Stirling County are preparing to host Greenock.

The former will be looking to bounce back from a poor showing against Watsonians last time out, while Greenock are likely to open the bowling again with Chris Bellwood, after his five wickets against West, but pro Luke Butterworth is unavailable.

Stoneywood-Dyce welcome Clydesdale to Peoples Park looking to build on last week's win at Uddingston, with Elton Willemse and Jan Stander again set to be key.