The Forecast: Third time lucky?
The Forecast will be our series of weekend previews for the 2025 season. We hope to cover team selection, form, fixtures and who to look out for in the weekend’s fixtures! We hope to not have to cover the rain!
Right, I promise the weather is looking better this week. I’m writing this with the sun beaming on me and all my windows open. It must be summer — we must play cricket this weekend! Looking for the lineups? They’re at the bottom!
Here we go! The season is here and what a weekend of cricket we have ahead of us. After a weekend of potential friendlies turning into indoor training sessions, everyone is raring to go.
Things start on Friday evening with our U12 Softball and U14 Hardball teams facing off against their Kilmarnock/Irvine counterparts. Over the winter and in recent weeks, we’ve welcomed lots of new junior members and we look forward to seeing this translate onto the pitch throughout the season.
West of Scotland XI
The WDCU league season begins on Saturday, with the West of Scotland XI travelling to Marress to face Irvine. Vice-captain Shepperson takes the reins for the season opener. While Fennah’s all-round contributions will be missed, the arrival of Joe Carrasco, who has recently relocated from Shepherd’s Bush CC in the Middlesex Premier League, adds depth to the batting lineup. Moneeb Iqbal will also be missed from the side as he is away with Scotland in the Netherlands. In positive news, it’s great to see John Oliver return after his 2024 foot injury. A strong performance here would be an ideal springboard into next Sunday’s Scottish Cup first round.
Maryam Faisal batting for Scotland in the recent World Cup Qualifiers in Pakistan
Women’s XI
Skipping forward to Sunday, the Women’s XI launch their Premier League campaign away at Grange Loan. Skipper Nadia Tolliday will be aiming to reverse last year’s result, which saw West bowled out for just 76 chasing Carlton’s 171. The return of Maryam Faisal from Scotland’s tour of Pakistan is a big boost to the batting lineup. It will also be an exciting day for Imogen Fox who will make her WPL and Club debut. With over 25 players competing for selection this weekend, the women’s section continues its excellent growth - giving the selection committee some welcome headaches! The match begins at 1pm.
Partick XI
Back to Saturday. The Partick XI host Uddingston’s second string, the Bothwell XI. The side blends old and new faces, including West and Partick XI debuts for George Clarke and Zeyd Clayburn. The team, led by Jonathan Williams, will once again feature a mix of youth and experience. Expect Graeme Etheridge — the Club’s leading wicket-taker last year — to take the new ball, with Williams choosing from Gavin Smith, Gurjit Singh, and Matthew Farr for the other end. On the opposition side, Kieran Walsh and Hunnain Sohail (35 wickets @ 13.26 and 27 wickets @ 19.85 in 2024) will be key threats, if selected! The bar opens at 12pm and the sun will be out (honest!) — come down and support the team.
Hamilton Crescent XI
Our final Saturday fixture is a ‘home’ game at New Williamfield, where the Hamilton Crescent XI host East Renfrewshire in Championship 2. Moosa Vakil makes his debut as captain and will be eager to implement his plans on the pitch. New faces include Himansh Joshi, Sarwar Mohammad and Saadi Sufi, while familiar names return in Rehan Mirza Ahmed (aka “Cobra”) and James Scott, a reliable presence in the top order in recent seasons. Please note: all Hamilton Crescent XI home fixtures will be held at New Williamfield, home of Stirling CC.
Women’s Second XI
Reverting back to Sunday, our Women’s Second XI, in combination with Clydesdale, take on Stenhousemuir away in their Women’s Challenger League opener. After last week’s washout, skipper Cammy Sriram will be keen to get points on the board. Cammy will also oversee 3 further debuts with Azka Fiaz, Poppy Winch, Zunaira Suman all getting the nodd for the first time at West. These fixtures are 20 overs per side, with the first ball bowled at 12pm at the Tryst.
Sunday XI
Finally, the Sunday XI round off the weekend with a friendly against Milngavie at Hamilton Crescent. It’s another great opportunity to enjoy some live cricket, with bar open from 12pm and play starting at 1pm.
So that’s six senior fixtures to begin the first weekend — not exactly easing into it! With that, over 60 players will take to the field in West colours, and there are six opportunities for you to come and support us. See you there!
Fixture cards covering all senior fixtures have been printed and will be available in the clubhouse from this weekend — so grab one and get it pinned to your fridge!
Saturday Lineups
Irvine vs West of Scotland XI
12pm, Marress
WDCU Premiership 2
O Shepperson (C)
J Carrasco*
A Hulatt
S Jakobson
L Kitchen
L Masunda* (WK)
D McNulty
J Oliver
S Page
J Strachan
A Yilapavanam
Partick XI vs Bothwell
12pm, Hamilton Crescent
WDCU Championship 1
J Williams (C)
G Clarke*
Z Clayburn*
R Corner (WK)
G Etheridge
M Farr
A Hussain
C Ross
G Singh
G Smith
B Stanton
Hamilton Crescent XI vs Woodfarm
12pm, New Williamfield 2
WDCU Championship 2
M Vakil (C)
R Ahmed
H Joshi
S Kadavath
A Maddock
S Mohammad*
A Rawat
J Scott (WK)
S Sufi*
J Vadalia*
N Zazai
*Senior or Club Debut
Sunday Line Ups
Women’s XI vs Carlton
1pm, Grange Loan
CS Womens Premier League
N Tolliday (C)
S Asghar
M Faisal
I Fox*
A Gore
B Haley
I Harrison (WK)
O McGhee
E Norris
L Payas
J Stanton
Women’s 2XI vs Stenhourmuir
12pm, The Tryst
CS Womens Challenger League
C Sriram (C)
A Fiaz*
A Harris
Z Suman*
P Winch*
N Wormald
Rest of the team fulfilled by Clydesdale CC
Sunday XI vs Milngavie
1pm, Hamilton Crescent
Friendly
G Clarke*
A Hameed*
At Hussain
Am Hussain*
R Hussain
M Hussain
N Jain
A Joshi*
N Joshi*
O Leadbitter
*Senior or Club Debuts
