Scottish Challenge Cup

A very disappointing performance on the Sunday, but the big positives over the weekend

On Sunday Kilmarnock traveled to Edinburgh to play Morton on the meadows in the Scottish Challenge Cup .Kilmarnock have fond memories of the cup having won it in 2014 and getting to the final in 2015.
With a big crowd in the meadows and the sun shining Kilmarnock took to the field. On a green seaming wicket Kilmarnock probably bowled a little too short and didn't take advantage of the conditions. Tom McFadzean and Chris Marshman bowled with real pace and bounce but unfortunately no luck as Morton got off to a flying start.
After putting on 84 for the first wicket at a run a ball Paul Flanagan turned to young spin bowler Fraser McLaren to take the pace off the ball. It worked perfectly as he caused the Morton batsmen all sorts of problems and he picked up the first 4 wickets.
Kilmarnock were back in the game and even more so when fellow youngster Blair Dearie produced a fantastic spell of inswing bowling. He showed his more experience team mates how to do it by putting the ball in the right area and bowling a tight line. He also ended with 4 wickets as Kilmarnock bowled their hosts out for 161.
Chasing 4 an over the hopes were high but those hopes soon capitulated. A mixture of poor shots, good bowling and good fielding saw Kilmarnock collapse to 30 all out. Morton used their experience of the wicket and got their men in the right positions in the field to dominate from the outset.
. The league is the priority this year for Kilmarnock and they will hope to continue that next week at home to Hillhead whilst the 2nd 11 travel to Inverclyde.