SCOTTISH premiership cricket's newest centurion will go into battle for relegation-threatened Watsonians in their vital clash at title contenders Greenock tomorrow determined to show his ton was no flash in the pan.
Fresh from hitting an unbeaten 102 as fellow strugglers Ferguslie were put to the sword, Ryan Flannigan said: "It's important to take the confidence provided by my hundred forward and hope this time results elsewhere break for us."
That was a refe
rence to how some shine was taken off the 'Sonian triumph by Poloc also managing a rare win but at least Flannigan has had a reminder of how positive thinking can pay handsome dividends.
"Although I got 76 at Grange this season I hadn't been getting the runs I'd hoped for on moving up a division from Penicuik.
"Fortunately, Andy Tennent, the Cricket Scotland head of development, told me I just had to believe in myself more and be positive.
"I stopped concerning myself so much with getting out in my 20s and just started to feel more relaxed about my abilities."
Flannigan is originally from Kelso where his dad, Ian, and uncle, Colin, are both club stalwarts. Another uncle, Jack Ker, played for Scotland. The 21-year-old has entered the 2008 campaign on the back of a winter dedicated to cricket.
He recalled: "I was able to take advantage of a scholarship (along with Saltires' stars Sean Weeraratna, Calum McLeod and Gordon Goudie] to spend six months in Australia.
"At the University of New South Wales I found the standard really demanding but from there I went with the Scottish youth side to South Africa and seemed to get a few good mentions which led into the Scotland A team this summer for matches against English county 2nd XIs."
Ryan is currently working as a labourer to finance further all-year round cricket but he refuses to look further ahead than the Greenock clash.
He said: "We need to finish the season strongly to maintain our place back in Division One and the good news is that fellow opener James Easton is also in great nick after making 76 not out in our ten-wicket win.
"It helps, too, that Andy Delmont is now the top wicket-taker in the Division and, while I have opened the bowling with him, I intend to try to make my mark with the bat."
Delmont joined 'Sonians from South Australia this term and, according to Flannigan, it is in the good quality of the pros generally that the strength of Premiership Division One lies.
"I've found a lot more intensity attached to fixtures but my aim is to keep adjusting and see how far I can go," he said.
Certainly, Scotland's likely qualification this week for next summer's world twenty:20 tournament in England (depending on Zimbabwe standing by a decision to withdraw on political grounds) is a carrot for the likes of Flannigan.
He admitted: "Scottish cricket is moving in the right direction and I'd like to take advantages of opportunities being thrown up all the time."
Promoted into the 'Sonian line-up after an East League half-century last weekend is all-rounder Euan Robertson while James Easton assumes the captaincy in the absence of both Gordon Drummond and Euan Stubbs.
At the top of the table, Grange head for Poloc defending a three-point lead. Gregor Maiden and Andy Wilson return with Simon Taylor and Gordon Allan out.
Heriot's are at Ayr. Promoted to the Heriot's side after consistent performances at 2nd XI level are Toby Hardwick and Colin Thomson while Chris Goddard and Ali Farooq are unavailable.
That leaves the Capital Division One scene the sole domain of Carlton, who make one change for tomorrow's home match with Uddingston, recalling internationalist Bryn Lockie for Peter Swan as they try to consolidate a top three place.
The full article contains 648 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
