IAN Young, the West of Scotland captain, is desperate for the rain to relent in time for tomorrow’s derby clash with Clydesdale to go ahead.
The old Glasgow rivals, both unbeaten in a stop-start first month of the campaign, are due to meet at a Hamilton Crescent ground which has taken a battering from the elements during the last 48 hours.
Young, remaining optimistic, declared: “The ground usually dries very quickly but it needs to stop raining first.
“We’re hopeful that will be the case because the guys at the club always look forward to the derby against Clydesdale and this one is no different.
“We will be looking to lay down a marker and show the other teams in the league that we are genuine contenders.
“It should be a great competitive game of cricket.”
While West, who welcome back Dave McNulty from injury, have completed three of their scheduled games, Clydesdale have managed just two and have been idle for the last fortnight.
Dale are without their talismanic Scotland all-rounder Richie Berrington who remains sidelined with a broken finger but chair of cricket Colin Mitchell believes the Titwood team can overcome his absence.
He said: “It would be ridiculous to suggest that we won’t miss someone of Richie’s pedigree but we are not totally reliant on him and have players who are capable of winning matches.”
As if to prove the point Mitchell announced the return of another talented all-rounder in Zeeshan Bashir who has been unavailable for several weeks.
With one 100% record sure to go, Uddingston and Prestwick, the other two unbeaten teams, have the chance to strengthen their position.
The former have home advantage against a Greenock side still seeking their first win.
Uddingston, again fielding their three-pronged pace attack of Gavin Main, Niall Alexander and Abdul Sabri, start strong favourites but the visitors, despite the absence of key performers in Jonathan Hempsey and Shailesh Prabhu, take heart from the fact that they twice beat the Bothwell team last season.
Prestwick, meanwhile, make the journey to Langloan aiming to repeat their ten-wicket Murgitroyd Rowan Cup success over Drumpellier nine days ago while the hosts are gunning for their second win of the campaign.
Elsewhere, either Stirling or Poloc will be celebrating a first win following their meeting at New Williamfield.
Both teams have completed just two of their scheduled five fixtures and are keen to return to action, the home side being on the usual lines while Poloc draft in Calum James and Abdur-Raoof Howard for the unavailable Lewis James and Ahmad Chaudhry.
East Kilbride also have the chance to claim a first victory but must overcome champions Ferguslie at Torrance House.
