GREENOCK Cricket Club are looking to head into the home stretch of the West Premiership Two league season with a win when they welcome second bottom side Irvine to Glenpark on Saturday.
The Ayrshire make the trip to Inverclyde off the back of a difficult campaign to date; they have completed nine league matches so far, but have only won twice.
In early June, bottom side Helensburgh were beaten before a second success was achieved at New Anniesland at the end of June, when Glasgow Accies were beaten by a four wicket margin in a fairly low scoring encounter.
However, apart from those two wins, it has been a dismal season for the men from Marress.
The league fixture between Greenock and [[Irvine]] earlier in the season was one of several [[Greenock]] matches to have fallen victim to the weather, so this Saturday's clash is the first between the two clubs of this campaign.
Greenock go into the match as firm favourites, and if they perform to the best of their ability, maximum points ought to be secured.
However, a family celebration means team captain Aryan Sanghera and his dad Sam will both be missing from Saturday's team.
Last Saturday at Hamilton Crescent, [[Greenock]] made a great start against second-top West of Scotland; the opening pace attack of Cammy Calder and Fahim Dinarkheil accounted for West’s four top order batsmen within the first 13 overs, and with fewer than 40 runs showing on the scoreboard.
An opening bowling burst like that against Irvine could have the visitors' batting line-up in major trouble, and Greenock will be keen to drive home any advantage which can be achieved.
Supporting Calder and Dinarkheil, the Glenpark team can call on Nikhil Kadyan, Chirag Pandher, Mu Ahmadzai and Greg McDougall, who offer a variety of bowling options.
The stop-start season due to the wet weather encountered through June and July has made it difficult for batsmen to build consistency, but Greenock’s Aussie amateur, Cal Henry, has managed better than most: he has scored 403 league runs and is averaging 134 in league matches, with three unbeaten centuries to his credit.
His most recent was scored just two weeks ago - 111 not out against Glasgow Accies - and he will be eager to keep his high-scoring form going against Irvine.
The Greenock team to play Irvine at Glenpark on Saturday with a 12pm start will be: CS Calder (Capt), Mu Ahmadzai, F Dinarkheil, CJ Henry (Wk), W Jenkins, N Kadyan, U Mansoor, G McDougall, , CS Pandher, SS Pandher, SS Prabhu,. 12th Mo Anwar
Greenock Cricket Club is sponsored by Cleaning Supplies 4U.
