SCOTLAND all-rounder Craig Wright is a major doubt for next week's one-day internationals against New Zealand and Ireland.
SCOTLAND all-rounder Craig Wright is a major doubt for next week's one-day internationals against New Zealand and Ireland.
The former Saltires skipper was last night ruled out of Greenock's SNCL clash with Ferguslie this afternoon after sustaining
a freak back injury.
But the 34-year-old, Scotland's most capped player, is almost certain to miss the two most important fixtures so far of the international season.
Wright, also the country's record wicket taker, has a history of back problems and coach Pete Steindl declared: "It's not looking good for Craig. He apparently went to pick up a box and aggravated a back problem he had earlier in the season.
"As things stand we're waiting for the physio to have a look to find out the extent of the injury but Craig must be rated a serious doubt."
Greenock coach Tony Judd, who will assist Steindl during next week's tri-series, added: "Craig has been in scintillating form in the last few weeks so it's a big loss to the team."
Gordon Drummond, the Watsonians all-rounder, has been put on standby and looks likely to be called into the squad on Monday.
Steindl said: "Craig is a great competitor and his record is outstanding so it will be a major blow to lose him. But his absence will create an opportunity for someone else and Gordon has already demonstrated that he has the ability and the temperament to handle big occasions."
The Scots face Ireland on Wednesday and then take on the Kiwis 24 hours later at Mannofield, Aberdeen. Victory over Daniel Vettori's side would secure a place on the official ICC ODI rankings.
Despite his injury setback, however, Wright, is delighted that his club is back on top of what is a very competitive league. "It's something we were looking to do as over the next month or so we are going to be under strength because of representative calls. The first game against Ferguslie was rained off so we are looking forward to playing them."
Outstanding for Greenock this season has been young Richie Berrington, whose form has been rewarded with a place in the Scotland squad at Mannofield next week, while another youngster to impress Wright has been teenage medium pacer Jonathon Hempsey.
Carlton and Ayr, two teams in the top five, clash at Grange Loan and with Cedric English fit again to lead the home side, and Charlie Leggett and Ally Evans available, the big question is who drops out.
"Someone is going to be very disappointed," admitted wicket-keeper Jamie Kerr. "Every player has been contributing in some way and it's going to be a very difficult decision."
As to Wednesday's happening at the Oval, Kerr reckoned the spirit of the game was more important than the eventual result and that he would have called back the batsman, "though in a game you do tend to go with your gut feeling. And remember ours is an amateur game, and we're not playing for big money. That makes a huge difference."
As for Ayr, they will be anxious to atone for last Saturday's miserable showing when they were skittled for 46 by Greenock.
Drummond's main concern this weekend is to lead Watsonians to victory over Grange for what would be only their second league win, then knock them out of the Scottish Cup tomorrow.
"It's all about confidence as we have the players, but are just not getting across the winning line, as we should have done on a few occasions."
Grange are playing at home for the fourth successive week and will be favourites to win and keep the pressure on Greenock.
Heriot's have two home games this weekend, against Clydesdale today, and then Watsonians tomorrow, and their confidence will have been boosted by last week's batting performance at Uddingston when they totalled almost 240 before rain intervened.
In the remaining game, Poloc recall the teenage Chaudhry brothers, Daniel, 14, and Bilal, 16, as they continue to blood promising youngsters, though the pair face a difficult afternoon with Uddingston the visitors.
Uddingston have Gavin Bradley back and really have to win to stay in touch with the leaders. "Last Saturday was frustrating as Greenock and Grange managed to complete their games and so picked up useful points," said captain Ricky Bawa.
The full article contains 745 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
