East’s Scottish links more than a Highland fling

MILDURA East have added a Scottish international to their ranks this season as they look to return to the Sunraysia Cricket Association grand final.

Aggressive opening batsman Liam Naylor, who made his One Day International debut last year hopes to not only help steer East to their first premiership in a decade, but develop his own game to return to the international fold.

The 23-year-old is set to face the new ball alongside returning English import Josh Andrews at Mildura Sporting Precinct this year.

The highland connection with Mildura East is strong with former Scotland captain Craig Wright playing as an import for the club in the early 2000s before he went on to captain the team from 2002 to the end of the 2007 ICC World Cup.

It was Wright, who remains heavily involved with coaching and development in the national set up, that encouraged Naylor to pursue a season in Sunraysia.

“In March or April Craig got in touch and asked have you ever been over to Australia?” Naylor said.

“I said no, and he asked do you want to? I was a bit sceptical at first but he pushed me towards it saying it is the best thing for you.

“I had a zoom call with the club and ever since then I’ve been keen to come over.

“I think a lot of people involved with Scotland have been over to Australia in the past few years and developed their game massively and I kind of want to the same thing.

“I loved playing for Scotland and Scotland A, I want to get back into the fold.”

Naylor is coming off a superb season with Royal High Corstorphine Cricket Club in the Scottish Eastern Premier League, scoring 674 runs in seven innings including five centuries at an average of 135.

The right-hander also gives East coach Josh Berry and captain Brad Thomas an extra bowling option.

While Naylor has an eye on continuing to climb the international ranks, he is also keen to help East win their first SCA first division premiership since 2013/14.

The side made the grand final last year but were soundly defeated by Irymple in the decider.

“That was one of of the main things on the call with Josh (Berry) and a couple of the lads was that they want to win a grand final and that’s what I want to do as well,” Naylor said.

Andrews became a popular figure at East last year, making 396 runs in first division along with 20 dismissals as wicket-keeper, also representing Sunraysia at Melbourne Country Week.

The 24-year-old said the hunger is there to win the flag.

“The main thing that brought me back was the people and the atmosphere, and even on the field making the grand final it makes you want to go one step further when you come so close,” he said.

“We can bat most of the way down the order, we’ve got plenty of options with the ball and it’s a good fielding team as well, hopefully that can help us.

“I think that’s the plan (he and Naylor opening), left hand, right hand, both quite aggressive opening batters hopefully get off to a good start.”

East face Mildura West in their opening round match on Saturday at John Hall Oval.