Cricket: Mitchell issues note of caution as Clydesdale ring changes Published on Saturday 12 May 2012 02:54 Put away the pyjamas. And the controversial pink ball. Place the Scottish Cup skirmishes on hold. It's now time for the real deal. The cut and thrust of league cricket. Today's opening battles in the Western Premier Division of the newly-reconstituted, regionalised Cricket Scotland League (CSL) feature just two teams who finished in the top ten of the 2011 SNCL Premiership, Clydesdale and Uddingston, who should, notionally, start as favourites. Clydesdale spokesman Colin Mitchell, however, advocated caution: "This is a much-changed Titwood outfit. We have lost Omar Hussain and Kashif Ali to Kelburne. Key all-rounder Greig Williamson is injured, and unlikely to feature until June, while exciting new signing from Dunfermline, Saltires paceman Safyaan Sharif, is still working his way back to full fitness after a serious side injury. Nor have we engaged a professional for this season. On the positive side, though, we're hopeful promising that Scotland under-age starlets Lyle Hill and Sam Paige can step up successfully to regular competitive first-team action. And don't forget we have the country's star all-rounder in Majid Haq. Clydesdale can also point to three straight Scottish Cup wins over SMRH, Arbroath United and Prestwick, unlike today's Titwood opponents, Stirling County, newly aligned to cricket in the west, who have won just once. Captain Grant Anderson, though, bullishly targets a "top-half finish," pointing to the acquisition of Gautham Rai and Vassu Reddy from Dunfermline. Dale's Haq could prove the major difference here. Co-favourites Uddingston, led by Scotland star Calum Macleod, have struggled to find early-season form, their hold on the Scottish Cup now in jeopardy after losses to Grange and Renfrew. "Paul Hoffman's groundsman duties preparing Bothwell for the forthcoming Satires CB40 matches allied to fitness problems have kept him out, which has been a massive loss," stresses vice-captain Bryan Clarke. But we can still call on the nucleus of our cup-winning side, including key Sri Lankan all-rounder pro Ras Priyadarshana, back for a third year, while emergent seamer Gavin Main has pace to burn, and leg-spinner David Bill has rediscovered his artistry with the ball. Uddy today lock horns with Drumpellier in what is always a hotly contested Lanarkshire derby. Resolute Langloan captain Graeme McLaren, despite the loss of left-armer John Hutton to Carlton and the continued unavailability of hard-hitting batsman Zed Mohammed, remains quietly upbeat about the season ahead, highlighting the major impact already made by strike-bowling professional Nazar Hussain, formerly of Clydesdale. Dark horses Dumfries, many insiders" tip for the league following last year's 2011 SNCL Championship win, will be favourites at Glenpark where Greenock, already shorn of four first-teamers from last year, have also lost overseas amateur Craig Schlebusch, who has returned home unexpectedly after making his mark with a Scottish Cup century at Poloc. Finally, two young sides very much in transition but brim full of potential, Mark Renny-led Ayr and John Blain-coached West of Scotland, go head to head at New Cambusdoon.