Scotsman

STONEYWOOD-DYCE skipper George Ninan reckons Scotland chiefs would be mad to keep on snubbing Jan Stander.

THE old adage about catches winning matches was borne out again as Prestwick outgunned Poloc in their Western First Division tussle at Shawholm.

Stuart Broad etched his name in Lord’s folklore yesterday – but England still had work to do to defy a West Indies fightback and clinch victory in the first Investec Test. They had Graeme Swann to thank for finally shifting Shivnarine Chanderpaul (91), just before tea on day four, after the previously immovable left-hander’s crease occupation reached 425 balls following his 87 not out first time round.

GRAEME Swann admitted Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s 91 for West Indies had frustrated England on day four of the first Test at Lord’s, but remains confident of victory.

SCOTLAND’s cricketers came a distant second as the first phase of their CB40 campaign ended in a comprehensive 89-run defeat to Hampshire yesterday.

BEFORE the Test match started, West Indies were publicly stating that a draw or taking the game into the final day could be construed a success for them. It was rhetoric that smacked of pessimism, or realism, depending on one’s outlook, but nothing they have shown in three days has suggested they should have greater ambition. England will win this game, comfortably, and West Indies will try and glean some positives for their rebuilding process. What though?

Ali Evans came to a crossroads and carefully sized up his options. Having played cricket for Scotland at every level through his teens, he reached the age of 19 and was cast out into the cold.

STONEYWOOD-DYCE may be regarded by some as the weak link in the new Eastern Premier Division but the People’s Park side answered that charge in emphatic style yesterday with a thumping win over Heriot’s.

ANDREW Strauss silenced his detractors yesterday with his first Test century in 18 months.

Dispiriting anti-climax was the overwhelming mood on the opening day of the eagerly-awaited Western Premier League. Only two matches survived the recent rains, and both were low-scoring, one-sided affairs. Optimism remains high, though, for Round 2, which throws up some intriguing clashes.

FORMER Scotland hero Paul Hoffmann reckons fellow Aussie Simon Katich will be the main danger man when the Saltires go into battle with Hampshire tomorrow.

New Forfarshire skipper Craig Wallace is hopeful the weather in Broughty Ferry is kind and allows him to lead out his side against Aberdeenshire in the Cricket Scotland Eastern Premier Division this afternoon.

PRESTWICK were handed a reality check last weekend when they marked their return to the national league scene with a home defeat by Weirs in the Western First Division.

ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss made no attempt to hide his emotion after finally ending his 18-month wait for a 20th Test century.

SALTIRES selectors last night named the same squad for the fourth CB40 match on the trot.

STUART Broad revelled in a great day for him and England as the hosts took charge of the first Investec Test against West Indies at Lord’s.

Andrew Strauss insists he is “not even close” to having had enough of the England captaincy, despite his long and vain search for his 20th Test century.

Will COLLIER and Sam Peachey led the way with the bat as Marchmont notched up their second win of the East One season at Cavalry Park on Saturday.

WEST of Scotland have been described in recent times as Scottish cricket’s sleeping giant but the signs are that something is stirring at Hamilton Crescent.

IN the other match in Group B, Durham secured a 14-run win against injury-hit Somerset at Chester-le-Street.