Cricket: Kruger’s worth proved at the crease

Sep 17 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

THE 2009 SNCL and East League fixtures have now finished, with each of the three West Lothian County Cricket Association sides faring well.

County First XI finished in fifth place in the SNCL Second Division, winning eight of 16 matches played.

In the first half of the season in May and June the team won three matches, beating Dumfries and Renfrew at home and Freuchie away.

The second half of the season, in July and August, produced more victories with the team winning five matches.

They triumphed over Edinburgh, Stewart’s Melville Royal High, Renfrew and Falkland away and Freuchie at home.

The side’s South African professional Kruger Van Wyk had a fantastic season with the bat, scoring 858 runs in 16 innings, five times not out – giving him an average of 76.00 – which was the highest batting average for the SNCL Second Division.

He scored three 100s and four 50s with his highest score being 114 not out against Weirs at Boghall in the last match of the season. (Incidentally this match was lost in a rain-affected match under the Duckworth/Lewis system.)

Kruger also chipped in with 11 wickets at an average of 16.10 runs per wicket, with his best bowling performance being two wickets for eight runs against Freuchie at Boghall in August.

When fielding he held 13 catches and ran out three batsmen.

His cousin Corne Van Wyk, after getting used to the rather strange conditions, put in some great performances with bat and ball.

With the bat Corne scored 489 runs in 16 innings, once not out, giving him an average of 32.60.

His highest score was 101 not-out against Renfrew away in August, where, with his cousin Kruger, he put on an unbeaten partnership of 192 runs.

With the ball he took 26 wickets at an average of 22.76 runs per wicket – his best bowling performance coming at Renfrew, notching four wickets for 44 runs.

When fielding Corne held six catches. Other team members who played great innings were youngsters Grant Raven – highest score of 59 not out against Freuchie away in May; also Kyle Smith – highest score 59 against Falkland away in August.

Veteran wicketkeeper David Fleming, now in his mid-forties, made 275 runs at an average of 30.55, with a highest score of 42 against RH Corstorphine at Boghall in July.

David also made 59 not-out in the Scottish Cup match against West of Scotland at Boghall in June.

Behind the wickets his contributions for the season were 12 catches and seven stumpings.

Bowlers with more than 20 wickets were captain Andy Raven 24, George Heath 21, and Fahad Ahmed 21.

County Second XI had a reasonable season, finishing in Third place in East League Division Three, after being League leaders for quite a while before suffering some losses.

The team played 13 matches, winning eight of them and finishing behind Kismet and Musselburgh, who will be promoted to East League Division Two for season 2010.

County Third XI had a reasonable season after a poor start, finishing in fourth place in East League Division Seven.

The team played 12 matches winning seven of them and finished behind Clackmannan County Second XI, Edinburgh Third XI and RH Corstorphine Third XI.

Clackmannan County Second XI and Edinburgh Third XI will be promoted to East League Division Six for season 2010.

West Lothian County Cricket Association would like to say a very big “thank you” to Cathy Jackson and her dedicated team of tea ladies who provide a fantastic spread of food at teatime at Boghall for every First XI home match.

Head Groundsman George Strachan and his team will this week be preparing the Boghall wicket for the winter close-down with grass seed and top dressing.

At the weekend the fence will be erected around the square for the winter.