CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

Tomorrow's opening round of games in the SNCL Premiership will see, for the first and last time in May, appearances by members of the Scotland squad before they assemble in Durham on Monday for the imminent World Cup.

There will, however, be a strong international flavour to the card with 11 Australians, five South Africans, two New Zealanders and a Sri Lankan all making appearances.

Heriot's, who face Grange at Raeburn Place, were unable to arrange a visa for their first-choice professional, Ryan West , but will give debuts to two other New Zealanders, Christopher Martin and Nicholas Taylor. They have also strengthened their team with the signing of Scottish under-19s all-rounder Greg Butchart, although Grange, with Sri Lankan Yasas Tillekeratne in harness, will be a tough nut to crack.

Greenock could be the season's dark horses. Tomorrow, they take on West Lothian and the acquisition of free-scoring Tasmanian Dene Hills may give them an edge, particularly as popular Australian Chris Swan also returns after impressive performances in 1998. The Boghall side, who, this time, will be led by professional Craig Light, have a difficult opening encounter.

Ayr have two Australians in their line-up, Graeme Rummans, a left-handed batsman and slow left-armer who is a product of the Academy, and all-rounder Matthew Smith. They face West Of Scotland at home tomorrow in what promises to be the game of the day.

The return of Corey Richards and the recruitment of opening bowler Grant Roden, former club-mates in Australia of Ayr's Rummans, gives West a formidable look, especially with Craig Wright back in the line-up and Jon Williams returning to Hamilton Crescent.

Former West player Jason Arnberger may be Aberdeenshire's trump card. A prolific run-scorer, he also knows all about Scottish conditions so a visit to Meikleriggs will hold no terrors for him. The north-easterners also field an Australian amateur in Stephen Gribble, while Ferguslie also boast two Australians in their line-up, Mark Atkinson and Ryan Freeman.

At People's Park, the meeting of Stoneywood Dyce and Carlton brings together four South Africans, Grant Dugmore and Marcel Englebrecht for the home side and Cedric English and Andrew Olsen for the visitors.

The top fixture in the first division sees Drumpellier visit Clydesdale, for whom Ian Stanger and Greig Williamson are available. Old rivals Perthshire and Strathmore meet at Lochside Park while fancied Watsonians go to Freuchie.

In division two, Dunfermline have a tricky visit to Stirling and Stenhousemuir travel to Edinburgh Accies.