GREENOCK have a ‘must-win’ match tomorrow when the visitors to Glenpark are bottom of the table Weirs. The Glasgow south-side club have failed to win any of their league matches to date while Greenock have managed just one win against Weirs, when the two clubs met at Albert Park in mid-May.

On that occasion, the Glenparkers, gave one of their best team batting performances of the season, with six players contributing significant runs in the side’s total of 221 for the loss of eight wickets.

Neil Flack top scored with 67 and Aussie amateur Tom Batters hit a fine 37.

The match was rain-interrupted and the Greenock innings were reduced to 42 overs.

Duckworth Lewis (D/L) set Weirs a total of 226 to chase in 42 overs, but although they lasted through the full quota, the Greenock total was never at any time under threat.

Weirs finished their innings 71 runs short of the target set.

Since that win, Greenock have been on a long and disappointing run of results and must view the match against Weirs as being the opportunity to arrest that situation and get back to winning ways.

A good all-round team performance will be required, with batting likely to be the key to victory for the Glenparkers.

On numerous occasions this season, including last Saturday against Stenhousemuir, Greenock have bowled and fielded well to create potential winning positions, only to falter when batting.

Shailesh Prabhu will return to open the batting along with Flack and a good, solid partnership at the top of the order is what Greenock will be seeking to achieve. That done, Greenock would have the springboard to a total in excess of 220 runs with players, such as Chris Hempsey, Batters, Harry Briggs and West Indian overseas amateur Dwight Thomas, all in the mix for middle order batting spots and each capable of scoring significant runs.

Thomas will be keen to make a big score this week as runs have been hard to come by for the St Lucian player who came to Greenock with a high-scoring batting record.

Thomas may be held back in the order a little and a number four or number five spot may be considered to allow him the opportunity to build on an already good platform rather than have the pressure of getting the innings started.

Greenock’s performances in the field have been generally good this season and last Saturday at The Tryst was one of their best. Stenhousemuir were bowled out for just 141 runs in 43 overs.

Batters returned fine figures of four wickets for 27 runs from 10 overs and Ben Peterson had three wickets for 31 runs from 7.4 overs.

No fewer than eight catches were taken at The Tryst, with Aidan Forrest taking three.

Weirs have struggled all season and have taken a number of heavy defeats whether batting first or chasing a total. On only four occasions has a total of over 100 runs been achieved by the Glasgow side, with the 155 for eight against Greenock their highest.

On three occasions scores of under 65 have been registered.

So, stats would suggest Weirs are very vulnerable when batting and Greenock must seek to do early damage and then drive home whatever advantage can be achieved.

The Greenock team to play Weirs in the WDCU Division One West League match at Glenpark tomorrow with a noon start will be from: SS Prabhu, TW Batters, HJ Briggs, GR Crichton, KJ Flack, ND Flack, AP Forrest, CJK Hempsey, JPC Hempsey, GJ McDougall, R Mountford, BR Peterson, DK Thomas, LPJ Ware. Scorer: B Roberts.

Greenock 2nd XI (Glenpark) are away to Weirs 2nd XI (Albert Park) in a WDCU Division One Reserve League match which starts at 1pm tomorrow at Albert Park, Glasgow. On Sunday, a Greenock XI travels ‘overseas’ for a match against Innellan starting at approximately 1pm.

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