After last week’s cancellation at Carlisle, the first cricket of the season for APD Dumfries, and the first home game at JMS Nunholm, is a tough friendly against Premier League side Ferguslie.
Ferguslie narrowly missed out on winning the Scottish Premier League last season and finished as runners-up. The corresponding fixture last year produced some big hitting from two of their Scotland players, World Cup all-rounder Majid Haq and middle-order batsman Omer Hussain and runs from their South African professional Con De Lange.
Haq and Hussain are due to play at Nunholm again this year and Haq may be looking to add some illustrious Dumfries names to his list of victims which includes Australia’s Matthew Hayden and South African captain Graeme Smith. Scotland A opening bat, Stuart Murray, takes on the Ferguslie captaincy for the first time. The match starts at 1pm.
APD Dumfries have a near full-strength team available including their young Australian amateur player this season, Geary. He is a nineteen year old left-hand opening batsman from New South Wales. He was introduced to the club through his team-mate, former Dumfries pro, Brad Bannister. He arrived jet-lagged the day before the Queens’ semi-final, braved the cold and rain at Hampden, experienced the post-match celebrations and has even sampled some haggis. Despite all this he has not taken the first flight home which bodes well for his season in Dumfries. He received his club cap at Sunday training from Skipper Scott Beveridge on behalf of his player sponsor JP’s Hair and Beauty Salon.
On Sunday the 1st XI play at home against Division One Western Union side Hillhead. They are due to bring down a Tasmanian duo, their professional Nick Guinane, an all-rounder, and Under-19 State off-spinner Tom Bevan. The match starts at 1:30pm.
Meanwhile the 2nd XI, JMS Nunholm, also start their season this weekend with two local derbies, away against Langholm on Saturday and at St Michaels on Sunday.
Anyone wanting to play or watch some cricket is welcome at the ground. Further details are available from Trefor Williams on 01387 256455 and at http://www.dumfriescricketclub.co.uk.
Dumfries Sports Club 