Weekend cricket action

Grange v Clydesdale

Sanjay Patel, the former Scotland squad batsman, makes his comeback for Grange against the champions at Raeburn Place after working for a spell in Netherlands, although the home side will be without frontliners Andy Wilson (hand injury) and wicketkeeper Simon Smith, who is likely to miss the rest of the season with a back problem.

Spokesman Joe Barrett said: "We have the luxury of batting Sanjay in the lower middle order, emphasising the strength of our upper ranks."

All-rounder Greig Williamson returns to the visiting line-up after Scotland duties. He replaces Jamie Sinclair, while top wicket keeper Andy Hislop is unavailable so Kasim Farid does the job.

Captain Colin Mitchell explained:

"Scotland age-group coach Peter Drinnen is very keep to develop Kasim as a keeper and the situation certainly gives us extra options."

Prediction Dale in a tight one

Heriot's v Greenock

The home outfit are boosted by the return of Saltires seamer Asim Butt, while David Ross, brother of rugby player Gordon, is back in the squad after work commitments. Captain Gavin McIntyre stated: "Greenock are strong and, without Asim, it would be a tall order for us to beat them."

Greenock are without experienced pair Davie Arnott (celebrating his 40th birthday) and Dougie Wylie, dropped to the seconds by captain Tony Judd in the hope of rediscovering his form. Back come Scotland captain Craig Wright and David Brown.

Prediction Heriot's to edge it at home

Poloc v Ferguslie

Revenge is the aim for Brian Spence, the Poloc captain, after a defeat earlier in the season. He said: "Ferguslie are a good all-round team and we will have to step up our game to compete."

Spence makes one change, bringing in Shakeel Ahmad in place of the unavailable Maddy Jayaratne.

Ferguslie are bolstered by the return of Saltires spinner Majid Haq and manager Iain Kennedy said: "Like ourselves last season, Poloc have developed a winning habit on the back of their promotion surge and they deserve to be in the upper reaches of the division."

Prediction Ferguslie by a whisker

Uddingston v Ayr

Hard-hitting John Donnelly makes his comeback for the Uddingston top team after an absence of three years. Captain Ricky Bawa said: "John has been piling up the runs for the seconds and he deserves his elevation." Bawa added: "Ayr's position in the table is no reflection of what a good team they can be. Any side containing Matt Horne and Bruce Patterson will be a threat."

Ayr are without left-arm seamer Phil Wilson, whose wife is due to give birth to their first child at any moment, but captain Dougie Johnstone returns after a foot problem.

Prediction Uddingston to prevail

Carlton v Aberdeenshire

Cedric English, the international allrounder, is out for Carlton after aggravating a hamstring problem while playing for the Saltires at Headingley. Also absent is former Scotland batsman Bryn Lockie, who is attending his brother's wedding, letting teenager Steve Elder step up from the seconds.

Shire are again without Scotland wicketkeeper Colin Smith, who has work commitments with Grampian Police, so Paul Flannigan steps up.

Captain Steve Seligmann stressed:

"Paul has done a great job as understudy, however we obviously miss him [Smith] for his batting skills."

Prediction Carlton to cruise it

DIVISION 1 SOUTH

Weirs v West of Scotland

Craig Greenwood, the home captain, has set his sights on claiming a few big scalps this season and there are few bigger than West of Scotland in what is believed to be the first-ever competitive clash between the first XIs of the two Glasgow sides.

Greenwood said: "In the old Western Union days, it was always a case that we'd be in the same division as their second XI, but things have changed a lot since then, and it will be a thrill to play against West. They might not be the force they once were but they were a premier-division side last season and have had a decent start.

"We've only had two games so far because of the weather but we managed to beat Prestwick in one of them and would love to take another significant scalp." Weirs introduce Stewart Rose, a recent arrival from Manchester, in a full-strength side.

West, who welcome back captain Dougie Lockhart from Saltires duty, are looking for their homegrown players to back up imports Subrinami Badrinath and Tarun Nethura. Their spokesman John Thomson said: "Our overseas guys have settled well but we need others to help. We're going to have to work hard all season if we're to get back up to the premier division and teams like Weirs will be out to get us."

PredictionWest to edge it

DIVISION 1 NORTH

Stenhousemuir v Forfarshire It would be easy to bill this clash as a battle between rival professionals Jonathan Beukes and Ryan Watson but Forfarshire's Watson believes there will be much more to this contest at The Tryst. He said: "It would be totally disrespectful to the other 20 players to say my duel with Jon will settle it. Both sides have some excellent players who are capable of putting together matchwinning performances."

Forfarshire got their first win last time out against West Lothian and Watson reckons that could be a turning point. He said: "We fell a few runs short in each of our first two games, which could have gone either way, but getting our first win on the board is important, and if we can put a few more together we'll be right in the frame." The Saltires man singled out Robert Cannon as a Forthill youngster who could have an impact.

Stenhousemuir, still challenging near the top of the table despite defeat at Arbroath a fortnight ago, will look to teenager Amir Shahzad to build on his impressive debut performance for the Scotland Futures side against Guernsey during the week.

Watson added: "It's pleasing to see younger players getting their chances and taking them at several clubs around the country and we know we'll have to be wary of guys other than Beukes. But there's no doubt that getting Jon early will be a major boost."

Prediction Home advantage could be crucial