THE first competitive match of the 2014 cricket season takes place at Glenpark tomorrow when Greenock entertain Drumpellier in the opening fixture of a new competition, the CricHQ40 Cup. Last weekend Greenock were fortunate to get two pre-season friendly matches played, both at Glenpark, and in excellent conditions, with one win and one loss being the outcomes of the games. These fixtures provided a good number of players with the opportunity to get a bat and also a bowl out in the middle, which must be viewed as an invaluable early season bonus in their preparation for Saturday’s cup game.

Neil Flack, Greenock’s U17 Scottish international, had an outstanding weekend, scoring a century against East Kilbride on Saturday and he then batted through the innings with an unbeaten 70 on Sunday against Hillhead.

His early-season form is very encouraging and Greenock supporters will be hoping that he can show more of the same against Drumpellier.

Saturday’s visitors from Coatbridge play in the West Premier League and finished in a mid-table position. The Drumpellier side will provide a stiff early-season test for Greenock but last season the Glenpark men did gain a win over them in the corresponding 40 over a side cup competition match at Langloan. A win tomorrow at Glenpark would be an excellent start to the season for Greenock.

Greenock’s side this summer will show a number of changes from last season. Dwight Thomas, a 22-year-old top order bat and off spinner from St Lucia, takes the place of New Zealander Fraser Colson who had an excellent spell at Glenpark in 2013, as Greenock’s second overseas player. Waleed Jamal, who formed a fine opening pace attack with Australian overseas amateur Tom Batters, is no longer at the club and Scottish internationalist Richie Berrington has intimated that he will play his club cricket this season at Clydesdale CC in Glasgow. Also uncertain about his playing availability is Scottish U19 cap Alex Baum due to university and work commitments. Much will therefore be expected of the players who do take the field for Greenock. The experience of 1stXI captain Shailesh Prabhu will be important as he leads what will be a young Glenpark side. Others, such as Greg McDougall and Jonathan and Chris Hempsey, each of whom have now experienced a number of seasons of 1stXI cricket, must endeavour to put in regular good performances and support their younger up and coming team-mates.

Back for a second season at Glenpark is 22-year-old Australian pace bowler Tom Batters from Melbourne.

He had a fine 2013 season and, having got used to the Scottish conditions last summer, will hopefully put in another top class season with the ball and also contribute well with the bat. Joining Batters as the second overseas player for Greenock is Thomas from St Lucia in the West Indies. Thomas has represented St Lucia at various age levels and also had a number of outings at full international level. He comes with a very fine record as a top order bat and also as an off spin bowler.

Greenock will undoubtedly look to both their overseas players to provide runs and wickets to bolster the young team and also to encourage good performances from the likes of Neil Flack, Harry Briggs and Louis Ware, three teenagers in the Greenock ranks who are developing into fine players and who have already caught the eye of district and national selectors.

The Greenock team to play Drumpellier in the CricHQ40 cup match at Glenpark tomorrow with a 1pm start will be: SS Prabhu, TW Batters, HR Briggs, GR Crichton, ND Flack, CJK Hempsey, JPC Hempsey, GJ McDougall, SS Sanghera, DK Thomas, L Ware. Scorer: B Roberts.

Greenock 2ndXI (Glenpark) travel to Langloan in Coatbridge for a Western Cup match against Drumpellier 2ndXI (Langloan) also tomorrow afternoon.

Greenock also have a WDCU Sunday League fixture away to Clydesdale in a match which gives an opportunity for a development XI to take the field. This side will include a mix of experienced and young players and will give those representing the club some useful match practice early in the season.

Greenock Cricket Club is proudly sponsored by Cleaning Supplies 4U.

INVERCLYDE travel to Rothesay tomorrow to play their first match of the season against Bute in the WDCU Cup. The following players have been selected to hopefully give new team captain Dave Cooke a winning start to the season. David Cooke, Chris Boswell, Steve Gregory, Tom McDade, Douglas Pilkington, Scott Campbell, David Thomson, Stewart Blair, Craig Watson, Cammy Gunn, Iain Gibson. Match sponsor – M&J Timber.