County prepare for league opener

Apr 29 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING County finished their warm-up friendlies for the forthcoming league cricket season with a defeat against Premier Division Carlton.

County were never in the hunt against a team who are one of the favourites for the Premier title in 2009.

The Edinburgh side batted first at New Williamfield and led by Cedric English and Bryn Lockie, rattled up 243 for five in their 40 overs.

Josh Edwards (50 not out), Jon Taylor (40) and Tim Yeadon (27) registered the only scores of note as County limped to 154 for six in the 40 overs.

On Saturday, Stoneywood-Dyce are County’s first opponents in SNCL Division One. The Aberdeen-based side won Division Two last season and boast Scottish international Jan Stander as professional.

County professional Kabir Khan, who coached Afghanistan to fifth place and defeated Scotland twice in the recent ICC Tournament in South Africa, will be in Stirling this week for the opening league game at 1pm.

Stirling 2nds and 3rds also begin their East League seasons on Saturday with the former meeting Leith FAB at New Williamfield and the latter travelling to Fife to play Glenrothes 2nds.

At the weekend, a mixed side lost to Clacks by three wickets in a friendly at Stirling.

Jo Barber-Fleming (46), David Kuhlwilm (36) and Sandy Watt (21) were the main contributors in Stirling’s total of 163 all out. The Wee County’s skipper Craig Black followed up his four-wicket haul with an unbeaten 72.

For Stirling, Rukman Kumara and David Kuhlwilm took two wickets each.

Training takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm onwards and all new players are welcome.