/Neil MacRae and Ally McIntosh may be the best of friends off the field, but today they will become no-holds barred rivals for the duration of the intriguing clash between the sides they captain, Aberdeenshire and Uddingston.
Such is the extent of their abiding, not to say offbeat friendship that the two batsmen have already conducted the tossing of an unusual ''coin'' for the game.
That event, performed in the Glasgow flat they share, was a triumph for the eccentricity with which cricket is often associated.
MacRae revealed: ''Although Ally and I have been friends for years, there will be no love lost during the match. For that reason, we wanted to keep things lighthearted in the lead up to the game.
''Somehow we struck on the idea of having the toss in midweek using a tea cake. I picked my moment for the toss when Ally
Conference C
was concentrating on eating his pasta, and luckily he called flat side down. That means Uddingston will be batting first.''
The on-field action will be a lot more serious, with the Aberdeenshire, champions in the final season of the former Scottish Counties League, defending a 100% record and Uddingston attempting to build on a solid start which could see them emerge as genuine contenders for a place in the top flight of the National League.
Aberdeenshire stuttered to Scottish Cup victory against Hillhead last week, thanks to an exceptional individual bowling performance from Aussie amateur Garth Nottle, who took six wickets for 19. ''We've been managing to win without playing well, which I suppose is a good sign,'' added MacRae. ''But I'd rather see a few of the lads hit a bit of form.''
The captain himself has been one of the few successes, enjoying a rich vein of run-scoring form which could see him come into the reckoning for next month's Scotland B clash with Durham University.
Freuchie return from their Saturday off to visit an Arbroath side in high spirits after their last-over win at Prestwick. David Cowan, who missed Scotland's midweek trip to Lord's, has recovered from a knee injury for the Fifers, while the Lochlands side bring in Grant Robb.
Stirling are in danger of becoming detached at the foot with Edinburgh Accies unless they can take something from their trip to Clydesdale, while Prestwick could find it tough again at Ferguslie.
Greenock have the chance to build on an encouraging start when they entertain Ayr.
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