Clackmannan County Cricket Club

By Greig Taylor

The sun shone on the grounds of Kinross House as Clackmannan took on Kinross XI in their next S&PCU league match. As regular 3rd XI captain, Alan Oliver, was unavailable for selection, Greig Taylor stood up to the mark and was asked to lead his team into battle. His first job was simple, to win the toss but he couldn’t oblige with the home side opting to bat on the artificial track. The principle of the 3rd XI is to bring on and encourage the juniors in senior cricket, and the two opening bowlers, Jamie McCann, and Blair Campbell, both under 16 justified this principle with restricting Kinross to only 19 runs off the first 10 overs (Campbell particularly impressive only going for 2 in his first 5 overs). Calum Ross and Charlie McNish took over from the openers and they continued in the same form, as the Kinross openers found the going tough. Calum Ross then produced his finest piece of bowling of the season, as he ripped through the top order and reduced Kinross to 43 for 4, with Ross taking all four wickets. Scott Weir (2) was caught behind by skipper Greig Taylor; Findlay Watt then chopped the ball onto his stumps 2 balls later; Murdo Nicol (0) drilled a ball through cover but only for Noor Jhangir to swallow the catch and James Tree (2) was to early on a pull shot and was caught by Tipu Sultan caught at short mid-wicket. A superb spell of bowling saw Calum take 4 wickets, for 18 runs, in only 5overs. Charlie McNish, not to be outdone, then got Brand (24) caught at square leg, by Auranzeb Alamgir, which turned out to be a sharp catch. At the halfway stage, Kinross were 43 for 5, and after drinks, the skipper brought on Will Kay and Craig Black. Kay bowled a great spell of probing bowling that showed what an asset he is to this team. He returned with figures of 2-11 off 7overs. After an unsuccessful 2overs from Black, Kash Ali was brought on and picked up a wicket in his first over having Goddenough LBW for 6. Campbell and McNish (3-9 off 8overs) came back on and closed off the innings, with McNish picking up a further 2 wickets. Some late hitting from Harper saw Kinross close their innings on 92all out. A good first half for the Clackmannan Cougars, and with a low total to chase down, a win looked on the cards. Clackmannan skipper decided to change the order and give those a shot at batting who didn’t get to bowl. He opened with Brothers Tipu Sultan and Noor Jhangir and the two got off to a good start taking the score to 13 until Noor (3) played down the wrong line and was cleaned bowled by Watt. Alamgir came to the crease and he didn’t take his chance of his higher position, being bowled again by Watt for only 1. Blair Campbell came to the crease and his defensive technique proved dividends as he began to steady the ship. Sultan received a good ball which he gloved and a good catch by the keeper saw him back to the pavilion for 10. Charlie McNish came out at number 5 and alongside Campbell; they took the total to 42 until Campbell was bowled by a slower straight ball for a smart 11runs. Kash Ali then showed his maturity as a batsman as he played the situation very well and kept the scoreboard ticking over. His partnership of 27 with McNish was the one to propel Clacks into a winning position. McNish was stumped for 19, and the fall of this wicket (69-5) brought skipper of the day, Taylor to the crease. Ali and Taylor then batted very sensibly, running hard runs and striking the ball around the ground. The score was on 91, when Ali went for another big shot but this time missed it and was bowled for a match winning knock of 25. Black came to the wicket at number 8 and hit the winning runs to seal the victory for the county side. Taylor ending up on 13 not out, saw his side home, in what was his first victory as captain. A victory that was set up by excellent bowling and enthusastic fielding was finished off by some encouraging batting performances. A great game, played in the correct spirit, was enjoyed by all and thanks to all at Kinross for a thoroughly enjoyable day. The 3rd XI plays Falkland at home next weekend in their penultimate fixture of their inaugural season in the Strathmore Union.

Match Report
Kinross 2 v Clackmannan County 3
Click here to view scorecard
Date 23/8/2008	Venue Kinross House	Result CCCC win	Weather sunny
By Greig Taylor The sun shone on the grounds of Kinross House as Clackmannan took on Kinross XI in their next S&PCU league match. As regular 3rd XI captain, Alan Oliver, was unavailable for selection, Greig Taylor stood up to the mark and was asked to lead his team into battle. His first job was simple, to win the toss but he couldn’t oblige with the home side opting to bat on the artificial track. The principle of the 3rd XI is to bring on and encourage the juniors in senior cricket, and the two opening bowlers, Jamie McCann, and Blair Campbell, both under 16 justified this principle with restricting Kinross to only 19 runs off the first 10 overs (Campbell particularly impressive only going for 2 in his first 5 overs). Calum Ross and Charlie McNish took over from the openers and they continued in the same form, as the Kinross openers found the going tough. Calum Ross then produced his finest piece of bowling of the season, as he ripped through the top order and reduced Kinross to 43 for 4, with Ross taking all four wickets. Scott Weir (2) was caught behind by skipper Greig Taylor; Findlay Watt then chopped the ball onto his stumps 2 balls later; Murdo Nicol (0) drilled a ball through cover but only for Noor Jhangir to swallow the catch and James Tree (2) was to early on a pull shot and was caught by Tipu Sultan caught at short mid-wicket. A superb spell of bowling saw Calum take 4 wickets, for 18 runs, in only 5overs. Charlie McNish, not to be outdone, then got Brand (24) caught at square leg, by Auranzeb Alamgir, which turned out to be a sharp catch. At the halfway stage, Kinross were 43 for 5, and after drinks, the skipper brought on Will Kay and Craig Black. Kay bowled a great spell of probing bowling that showed what an asset he is to this team. He returned with figures of 2-11 off 7overs. After an unsuccessful 2overs from Black, Kash Ali was brought on and picked up a wicket in his first over having Goddenough LBW for 6. Campbell and McNish (3-9 off 8overs) came back on and closed off the innings, with McNish picking up a further 2 wickets. Some late hitting from Harper saw Kinross close their innings on 92all out. A good first half for the Clackmannan Cougars, and with a low total to chase down, a win looked on the cards. Clackmannan skipper decided to change the order and give those a shot at batting who didn’t get to bowl. He opened with Brothers Tipu Sultan and Noor Jhangir and the two got off to a good start taking the score to 13 until Noor (3) played down the wrong line and was cleaned bowled by Watt. Alamgir came to the crease and he didn’t take his chance of his higher position, being bowled again by Watt for only 1. Blair Campbell came to the crease and his defensive technique proved dividends as he began to steady the ship. Sultan received a good ball which he gloved and a good catch by the keeper saw him back to the pavilion for 10. Charlie McNish came out at number 5 and alongside Campbell; they took the total to 42 until Campbell was bowled by a slower straight ball for a smart 11runs. Kash Ali then showed his maturity as a batsman as he played the situation very well and kept the scoreboard ticking over. His partnership of 27 with McNish was the one to propel Clacks into a winning position. McNish was stumped for 19, and the fall of this wicket (69-5) brought skipper of the day, Taylor to the crease. Ali and Taylor then batted very sensibly, running hard runs and striking the ball around the ground. The score was on 91, when Ali went for another big shot but this time missed it and was bowled for a match winning knock of 25. Black came to the wicket at number 8 and hit the winning runs to seal the victory for the county side. Taylor ending up on 13 not out, saw his side home, in what was his first victory as captain. A victory that was set up by excellent bowling and enthusastic fielding was finished off by some encouraging batting performances. A great game, played in the correct spirit, was enjoyed by all and thanks to all at Kinross for a thoroughly enjoyable day. The 3rd XI plays Falkland at home next weekend in their penultimate fixture of their inaugural season in the Strathmore Union.