1st XI need to resume winning ways

The 1st XI make a return to home turf this Saturday after two long journeys to the opposite ends of the country for matches against Aberdeenshire and Dumfries in the last two weeks. The visitors to Glenpark are Glasgow Accies who have yet to record a win in this season's Western Premiership Two league programme.

The team have one win and one loss from the two league matches completed to date and will be favourites to add a second win against their Glasgow opposition.

Accies were on the end of a 219 run thrashing from Dumfries on the opening Saturday of the league season when the two sides met at New Anniesland. And last Saturday when Accies made the trip across to the south side of the city they were bowled out for 110 by Langside who then knocked off the runs for the loss of just 3 wickets in a little more than 25 overs.

At Dumfries last Saturday, the club fielded a significantly understrength side due to work and family commitments. A poor batting display from those who travelled to the south of Scotland was responsible for the loss of the match. Only Connor Nowlan with 37 runs and Sam Sanghera with 28 not out contributed any really meaningful runs in the team's 107 run total.

Despite the low total, the bowlers did manage to capture seven wickets and very nearly pulled off a win as Dumfries struggled to reach their 108 run target.

Against Accies on Saturday team captain Greg McDougall will be calling for a much improved batting performance from his team. He will be seeking greater concentration, improved shot selection and a willingness to graft while out in the middle in order to build a competitive total.

The team's two Australian amateur players have both scored well in most of the matches completed since the season got under way. However others in the side must do more to contribute to the team's tally of runs.

The experienced Sam Sanghera stuck around when he went in to bat last Saturday and helped to guide the team to a total of just over one hundred. He faced over sixty balls and was not out 28 at the close of the innings. More application like that from more players can only improve the run-scoring.

This Saturday, Shailesh Prabhu and Harry Briggs are once again available and their inclusion should bolster the batting line-up. But due to work commitments out of the side go Cammy Calder and Chirag Pandher.

Two further changes to the selected team from last Saturday see Inam Khan and Aryan Sanghera replace Vishal Yadav and Faheem Dinarkhel.

The bowling attack has been a strength in the matches played so far. Connor Nowlan may be team McDougall's choice to open the bowling for the team against Accies on Saturday. In the two league matches played against Hillhead and Dumfries he has picked up five wickets and his pace has provided problems for opposition batsmen.

But who may partner Nowlan in the opening bowling attack will be for McDougall to decide. It may be teenager Usman Mansoor who has shown potential and developing well as a pace bowler but has yet to be consistent with his line and length

But the team skipper may turn to another player who has picked up five wickets from the first two league matches, Angus Tolhurst. He provides a contrast to Nowlan with slow left arm bowling which is accurate, varied and deceptive.

Whatever the decisions which are made either in the field or batting out in the middle, the team must look to win the match against Accies and win well.

The Glenpark XI gained a facile victory over Stirling County 3rd XI, the opposition being unable to field a full complement of players. This week, the team are off to Glasgow to play Crow Road, who are GHK's third string and skipper Eddie Ahmad will be confident of gaining another victory with a team that is close to the one fielded last week.

Both games will start as usual at 12 noon.

The Club is grateful for the continued sponsorship from Cleaning Supplies 4U.