Around Scotland's cricket: mid-July 2011
Around Scotland Mid-July 2011
Rhino's new game
The game against Ireland a few days ago was an absolute classic sporting match, and will long live in the memory. As our picture shows, it was a busy time for those covering the game live - with the BBC Radio Scotland commentary team seated adjacent to the video webcast controllers, all of them ex-BBC freelancers.
Among the commentators who made a name for their perceptive comments were Rasik Pryadarshana, the Uddingston pro, and former Scotland captain Ryan Watson. The latter in particular revealed a natural broadcasting talent as well as being able to bring his long experience of involvement as a player in international cricket. Rhino has, it seems, found a new niche for his enthusiasm for the game.
Fortunately, the Cricket Scotland TV Live coverage was recorded and is available to view online (bar the gremlin-hit first ten minutes of each half!). HERE is the link to the Livestream page, and the two innings in separate videos-on-demand shown immediately below the player.
Matty and D are hors de combat
It was good to see Matty Parker at the Grange earlier this week... hobbling about on crutches, following his recent hip operation. Scotland's fast bowlers have certainly been susceptible to sundry orthopaedic injuries, aches and pains.
Matty said the problem is no fixed, full stop. But his recuperation will take a couple of months, so he will not be able to play domestic cricket for the rest of the season. He hopes to be back in training in September, with a possible eye on the trip to Namibia, where the ICC's new format specifies a four-day I-Cup match and two ODIs will be played in October.
Meanwhile Dewald Nel, who was badly let down by his back problems when he joined Kent last year, is now 'between jobs' while the orthopods ponder what to try next to bring him back into the cricketing equation. There seems to be no certain prognosis for D, to whom we extend our sincere sympathies.
Eric the Wids wizard
Earlier this month, Eric Edwards completed a remarkable milestone for Scottish Widows CC. Playing at Inch Park in the Terry Newcombe Trophy quarter-final against Standard Life, in his 409th match,Wids won at a canter. Edwards scored 52* in this his 370th innings, which took his tally for the club to more than 10,000 runs. While this milestone may not be unique in 'normal' cricket, the fact is that (bar about 12 games) all runs have been scored in evening matches!
Also this season, skipper Keith Bowron made his 700th appearance, and is now in his 27th season as captain!
But Scott Miller is still way out in front appearance-wise, now past 800, and he is homing in on his 1,000 wickets for Widows – 940 from 813 matches, but the four figures are nowadays extremely rare, given the overs restrictions which operate for bowlers in these matches.
(Picture Alan Veitch)
Holly's cricket pix a hit
A chance visit to watch her brother in a cricket training session has seen a Dunfermline girl hooked on the game, reports the Dunfermline Press. Not only has Holly Wilkinson (16) become an all-rounder good enough to play for Scotland's U17 ladies' team, she is the occasional scorer for the Dunfermline Knights in the SNCL Premiership - and is also a handy with a camera around a cricket ground.
This weekend, Holly leaves for Cumbria with the Scotland squad for a four-day tour taking in Cumbria and Derbyshire in the ECB's U17 competition.
Holly got involved in the sport three years ago when dad Gary suggested that she should go up to McKane Park and watch younger brother Ben, who now plays for Scotland U15s, taking part in a training night. She said: "I was a little bit reluctant but along I went and I ended up getting involved in the session.
"One day the club's colts team was short. I was asked to play and really enjoyed it and that made me realise that cricket was a sport I wanted to be part of," she added. "Then, a couple of years ago I was asked to play for the Knights' third team and have become a regular. I was a bit unsure how I would be received at first, but I soon found out that in the East League there are several ladies taking part on a weekly basis."
Holly picked up her scoring skills when she did the 3rd XI book for part of a season. Now she steps into the shoes of the Knights' 1st XI scorer, Ken Nisbet, when he is on Scotland duty. And, having received a camera for her birthday last year, Holly is now adding 'cricket photographer' to her portfolio: "I took the camera along to a game Ben was playing in and took some shots which came out quite well.
Holly's cricket pictures have appeared in the sports pages of the Dunfermline Press - and she says her ambition is to get her shots published on the Cricket Scotland website, so we'll see what we can do to make that happen!
(Picture Ted Milton)
Safy's wee followers
Following in the footsteps of new Scotland star Safyaan Sharif (pictured right) are a couple of other youngsters from the Largo club's impressive youth system, reports Fife Today.
Fifteen-year-old Alex Anderson was selected for the Scotland U17 team for a two-day match against Durham last month, followed by two one-day games and a T20 match against the Netherlands. Alex remained unbeaten in three starts batting for the Scotland U15 team last year has been looking forward to the challenge of the older age group and tougher opposition. Although primarily in the Scotland team as an off-spin bowler, he celebrated his selection by scoring 100 runs and taking five wickets for Largo's 2nd XI over two weekends.
Also picked for international duty is another 15-year-old, Briony Gillin from Anstruther, who has been selected for the Scotland U17 girls' team for three away matches against Durham, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire. Briony, who plays for the Largo 4th XI, warmed up for her tour by playing in the recent U18 Scottish Cup victory at Falkland.
Sponsorship made easy
Clinching a batch of sponsorship deals has set Breadalbane Cricket Club in mid-season, reports the Perthshire Advertiser. The Aberfeldy-based club has received their order for new match shirts made by flamboyant kit manufacturer Boom Boom Cricket, the official suppliers to the Pakistan, Ireland and Kenya international sides. Breadalbane is the first club in Scotland to be associated with Boom Boom cricket.
Separately, the Port-Na-Craig Inn and Restaurant in Pitlochry has agreed to become the club’s main shirt sponsor for the 2011 season. And Breadalbane have been further boosted by the announcement that AKG Homes, the family-run property development company, has agreed to become associate shirt-sponsors for 2011. The firm’s logo will appear on Breadalbane’s match shirt sleeves.
Finally, the junior club’s section also received a fantastic lift when Taymouth Castle Estate agreed to become the official junior match-shirt suppliers.
