Clydesdale CC v Glenrothes CC

Glenrothes 1st Xl traveled to Titwood, Glasgow to play a friendly against Clydesdale CC for some much needed competitive match practice in preparation for the first Eastern Premier League game next week against Forfarshire. Clydesdale won the Western Premier League title last year so everyone knew it would be a testing time. And so it proved.

Clydesdale won the toss and asked Glenrothes to bat on a green wicket on an overcast day. It wasn’t warm but at least no rain was forcast. The outfield was good for this time of year and the ground was one of Scotland’s major venues for hosting international matches.

Clydesdale soon proved their credentials as current League champions as they bowled with
nagging accuracy on this green top. The Glenrothes batsmen battled throughout the innings and with a couple of dubious LBW decisions, Glenrothes found themselves in trouble at 28 for 4. Chris Greaves out for10, Gowtham Rai for 0, Ben Wilkinson for 4 and Robbie Wright for 1. Guy Hudson and Vasu Reddy managed to compile the biggest partnership of the Glenrothes innings of 32 runs. Once they were both out, wickets fell at regular intervals with Glenrothes all out for 98 in the 34th over. Young Graham Dodds showed his promise with a well compiled 12. Extras, which included 14 wides, accounted for 23 runs of the total 98.

Clydesdale set about the total with caution and opening bowlers Robbie Wright and Kenny Crichton asked questions of the Clydesdale batsmen when they put the ball in the right areas. However, anything short or wide was punished and this happened to all the bowlers. Clydesdale reached the Glenrothes total of 98 in the 17th over with the loss of one wicket. Vasu Reddy picked up the only wicket with an excellent nip backer to the opening batsman T Awais who shouldered arms and was duly given out LBW for 40. The other opener, Z Shahid, finished 20 not out and C De Lange 32 not out. A good run out chance was also missed.

The game was much needed practice for everyone to look at where they are in terms of their contribution and roles. The emphasis will need to be on how players look at themselves in improving their performances and not just looking at the outcome of the game. Training on a Wednesday is therefore even more important with the club in a higher league this year. It will be a challenge for all the players to raise their game to compete at this level and every point will be important and could be vital at the end of the season.

Written by Alec Davies