Aberdeenshire have suffered a double injury blow after captain Chris Venske and batsman Craig Knight were sidelined with serious injuries.
Venske has suffered a torn quad, while Knight also faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a torn leg muscle.
The duo join bowler Ian Kirk, who is still recovering from a broken finger, in missing tomorrow’s game at Royal High Corstorphine.
Despite the absence of three experienced first-team players Shire managed their first win since May 26 when they beat Arbroath United by three wickets.
Professional Akshu Fernando led the way with an unbeaten 106 thanks to a successful partnership of 87 with Owen Davies.
Bowler Davies said: “It’s a blow to have three key players all out at once but we really stepped up in their absence to beat Arbroath.
“Considering our team and the fact Arbroath had their strongest team of the season, it was a great win for us and we have to try to build on it. Our batting has been a problem in the poor run but we managed to form a partnership last weekend which really made a difference.
“Akshu was brilliant but one guy is not enough, you need partnerships. It’s no use getting 50 or 60 if everyone else isn’t contributing. You need one to stay in who can rotate during games and the two of us were able to do that against Arbroath. A partnership of 100 to 150 is the key to winning games.”
The injury list at Mannofield presents opportunities and 16-year-old Nathan Elliott is set to feature at Corstorphine tomorrow.
Davies said: “Nathan has been playing in the seconds and taking a lot of wickets, so hopefully he can transfer that form to the first team.
“He has looked good in training and it’s a big chance for him to show what he can do this weekend.
“Corstorphone are not the strongest team in the league but they do have a couple of excellent players in their side and getting them out is the key to winning this one.”
