RIYAAD Henry will today attempt to claim the family bragging rights by getting the better of brother-in-law Rory Kleinveldt.
The pair meet for the first time on a cricket pitch as Western Premier co-leaders West of Scotland clash with champions Ferguslie in the day’s top match at Hamilton Crescent.
And Ferguslie skipper Henry, the son of former Scotland and South Africa legend Omar, is relishing the prospect of facing Proteas star Kleinveldt and attempting to inflict a first defeat of the campaign on West.
Henry said: “I’ve never played against Rory but have obviously watched him a lot on TV. I only got to know him when he married my sister Reyhana so playing against him is a really exciting prospect.
“He’s a very experienced and skilful player with bat and ball and is clearly a factor in West doing so well.
“But we are not fazed about who we play against – we are simply focused on our own game.”
West skipper Ian Young, who will miss the match with a hamstring injury, acknowledges that the Rory v Riyaad exchange could be pivotal to the outcome of another crucial clash for West.
He said: “It’s a case of two great competitors going up against each other and I think it will be a key battle – hopefully Rory is on the winning end of it.
“The game as a whole will be another great challenge for us but the guys have risen to every test so far and can take a lot of confidence into the match and hopefully get another result.”
West arguably overcame their biggest challenge to date last Saturday when, defending just 166 at Uddingston, they sent the home side crashing from 117-0 to 161 all out.
Uddingston have the chance to put that collapse – and an even worse one in the cup the following day when they capitulated against Clydesdale – behind them when they visit Prestwick today.
The Ayrshire team, like West, boast an unbeaten record but if Uddingston recapture their form of the early weeks of the season a tight contest is assured.
This match features the division’s leading wicket-taker in Prestwick’s Sachin Chaudhary against Mo Awais, the batsman with the most runs.
Elsewhere, Clydesdale, boosted by their astonishing cup win at Uddingston in which teenagers were the match-winners, are again likely to give youth a fling as they attempt to stay in touch at the top with a home win against Drumpellier.
Poloc, having broken their duck by beating Drumps a week ago, bid for another win when they visit an East Kilbride side who may simply be content to see some Saturday action after four consecutive washouts.
Without a win, EK share bottom spot with a Greenock side who will attempt to open their account when they host Stirling at Glenpark.
Greenock will be led by Indian professional Saurabh Bandekar, previous skipper Neil Flack having stood down to focus on his own performances.
