CRICKET — Must-Win Game For Greenock Against AyrLAST weekend’s disappointing defeat at Dumfries saw Greenock fall to the foot of the Premier Division table, a loss which makes this Saturday’s game with Ayr the most important of the season so far for the locals.
The current league table shows that the two clubs to be relegated to the First Division at the end of the season will more than likely come from Ayr, Dumfries and Greenock, although West of Scotland’s recent form perhaps suggests that they might be dragged down into the relegation fight. Greenock cannot afford to lose.
Ayr, have had a disappointing season but in recent weeks have shown signs of improvement. They defeated Dumfries in a low-scoring match and last Saturday failed by just five runs to overtake Uddingston’t total of 253. They will therefore come into the match with more confidence than Greenock. And they will probably remember that they easily defeated Greenock in their previous encounter in early May at New Cambusdoon.
Ayr rely heavily on a few individuals. Anwar Hafeez, who scored an unbeaten century last Saturday, is their top scorer this season while the brothers McElnea, Shuja Khan and West Indian professional Peters have each contributed at times. The same players have provided the backbone of the bowling without any of them taking a significant number of wickets. There is also the possibility that Neil Smith, a prolific scorer in recent years, will be back from holiday in Australia and available to play.
The current spell of hot and sunny weather will likely mean that Glenpark will be a batsman’s paradise on Saturday. Any shot that beats the field is more likely than not to speed over the outfield for four. Whoever wins the toss will surely bat first and a total of 250 will be the minimum requirement for victory. Greenock will require a number of their batsmen to score heavily.
Professional Bandekar has looked to be in good form but prone to getting out when well set. This Saturday would be a good time for him to push on and make the big score that he is clearly capable of. Skipper Neil Flack and overseas amateur, Laurens Smit are also due a big score and the likes of Jonathan Hempsey and Shailesh Prabhu have been performed well. With solid backing from the middle and lower order, there is absolutely no reason why Greenock cannot put together a match-winning total.
The bowlers will face a tricky task and they will require the full help of their fielders if they wish to restrict Ayr. It would also help if they tightened up their discipline and restricted the number of extras. After a couple of weeks when this element of the bowling had improved considerably, there have been signs in the past two games that these standards have slipped again.
Greenock need to put the last couple of games behind them and return to the form that they showed in the first half of June. If they do this, then they ought to defeat Ayr and set themselves up for a good end to the season.
Team selection for the match is not yet known but it is expected that it will be along the usual lines although it is unlikely that Chris Hempsey will be fit to return to the side. Indeed the damage to his finger will probably prevent him keeping wicket again this season, although he should shortly be able to bat again.
The match at Glenpark will start at noon and spectators should be treated to a feast of run-scoring on what promises to be another hot and sunny day.
Greenock’s 2nd XI –- Glenpark –- are away to Marress, Irvine’s reserve side, on Saturday. The first encounter of the season between these teams resulted in a win for Glenpark by 37 runs and skipper Ally Calder will be keen to do the double over the Ayrshire side, who currently sit two places below Glenpark in the Third Division table.
Ally hopes to be able to make his selection from the following squad but realistically he expects that some will be required for 1st XI duties: PJ Bryceland, CS Calder, L Fischer-Keogh, S Fischer-Keogh, TD Forrest, L McCahill, J Nowell, SS Pandher, PE Robertson, A Sanghera, DC Sharma, E Stewart.
Greenock Cricket Club is sponsored by Cleaning Supplies 4U
