Damle prepares to spin into action for in-form Aberdeenshire

Indian left arm spinner Rohan Damle arrived in Scotland this week and will make his debut in the SNCL Premiership for Aberdeenshire against Arbroath this afternoon.

The 18-year-old overseas amateur from Maharashtra arrives on these shores highly recommended and it will be interesting to see how quickly he fits into the Mannofield side who have had a flying start to 2011 with two wins from two.

After an opening-day win over West of Scotland, Aberdeenshire then thumped Greenock last week. New skipper Tyler Buchan took seven wickets at Glenpark and ahead of today's clash with Fraser Burnett's men he said: "The guys are buzzing at the minute and we want to build on our first two wins. Last week everything seemed to go right for me and the team, but we know that Arbroath will provide us with a stern test having beaten Uddingston on the opening day. I am enjoying the challenges of captaincy and having a lot of experienced players around me helps."

Aberdeenshire will base their bid for victory around the solid top three in the batting order - Iain Brand, Neil MacRae and Gerry Strydom - with the trio having scored 99 between them in week one and Brand and pro Strydom 70 between them last week in a comfortable run chase.

Arbroath travel north still without pro Harsha Vithana, the Sri Lankan having had to reapply for a visa, but it is hoped he will arrive next week.

Like Aberdeenshire, Carlton have also won two from two and are boosted by the return of seamer Ali Evans as they welcome Ayr to Grange Loan.

Evans' return could not have been more timely with Scotland captain Gordon Drummond unable to bowl ahead of tomorrow's CB40 clash with Surrey in Stockbridge.

Carlton captain Fraser Watts was delighted with the way Evans played in the opening-day win over Stoneywood-Dyce and the Scotland cap will likely open the bowling today in a side that also includes Richard Metcalfe.

Reigning champions Grange are the third team who have two wins from two and youngster Henry Philip looks set to get another outing away to the Dunfermline Knights after taking 2 for 24 last week against Watsonians. For the Fifers Australian Cameron Farrell - now registered as a local player - will go into the match on a high after taking three wickets and scoring 39 runs in the midweek Murgitroyd Twenty20 win over Stirling County.

Forfarshire will be without Andrew Wallace and Matthew Parker can only play as a batsman as they welcome a full-strength Drumpellier to Broughty Ferry.

Clydesdale call up Scotland Under-19 player Sam Page with Scotland man Majid Haq unavailable as they welcome Heriot's to Titwood. Heriot's travel west without a win under their belts as yet and captain Steve Knox will look for them to have a meaner streak today.

West of Scotland are without Gordon Goudie, rested ahead of Scotland duty, while Richie Berrington can only bat for their opponents Greenock at Hamilton Crescent.

Elsewhere today Uddingston face Stoneywood Dyce and Watsonians take on Stirling County at Myreside.