Hoffman bats for position in Surrey clash

BOWLER Paul Hoffman today flashed a "remember me as a batte"’ message to Andy Moles as the Saltires cricket coach finalises his hitting order for tomorrow’s totesport national league clash with Surrey Lions at the citylets Grange ground in Edinburgh.

Hoffman smacked a 35-ball century opening for Uddingston at Carlton in the Lloyd’s TSB Scottish Premiership last weekend - was sensational given he is a record-breaking seamer.

Now 35-year-old Hoffman admits his sights are set on climbing the national side’s batting order.

Hoffy, who is usually No.10 in the representative side, said: "Of course it is up to Andy Moles to decide where I bat but I am ready and willing to open any innings - including for the Saltires."

The 51-times capped Australian-born ace added: "I feel I can give it a go as an opener because I love batting but I recognise Saltires are looking for a settled order approaching World Cup qualifying in Ireland during July.

"So, it could be I’ll set greater store by trying to improve on my Saltires best, which is 33 (from No.10) against Middlesex in 2003. That, of course, can be a hit or miss business as going in down the order can mean any batsman is on a hiding to nothing.

"But I have no plans to change my approach, which is based on trying to score as quickly as possible, helped on occasions by great batting wickets such as that prepared most recently by Carlton.

"If a ball is there to be hit then I will be looking to produce regardless of the number I go in."

At the same time Hoffman admits the Saltires, while widely credited with improvement last time out in going down to Somerset, cannot afford any slackness whatsoever if they are to reverse a defeat the last time the teams met - a C & G Cup match in Edinburgh three years ago.

"That was one of my first games for Scotland and I remember well the century by (England’s) Mark Ramprakash who could be a major danger.

"Also, opener Scott Newman seems in great nick just now and he is another we’ll particularly want to contain" says Hoffman who has given notice of his batting prowess by hitting England Test pair Kabir Ali (Worcester) and Andy Caddick (Somerset) over the ropes already this season. Cause for Surrey’s Test bowlers like Rikki Clarke or Martin Bicknell - both named in the squad today - to worry?

"As always I’ll try to pick the appropriate ball to hit but sometimes I find it difficult to hold myself back," hinted Hoffman. If Ramprakash’s name casts a dark cloud over Hoffman the bowler then he has fonder memories of a Surrey coach as he prepares to come face-to-face with former mentor Steve Rixon.

"Steve and I go back a decade to when I was making my way through to the New South Wales squad. What Steve noticed was that I didn’t apply myself to fielding as much as other disciplines. Had he not spotted enough potential to think it worthwhile putting me through the pain barrier in the field I’d not have reached the stage of becoming a Scotland player.

"So, I am indebted to someone who has been joined on the Surrey coaching staff this season by another old acquaintance in ex-Grange coach Trent Woodhill and I’m sure all will be understood if I show how hard I was listening to Steve by repaying him as part of a winning team."

Saltires from: Craig Wright (captain), Yasir Arafat, Jonathan Beukes, Asim Butt, Cedric English, Majid Haq, Paul Hoffmann, Steve Knox, Dougie Lockhart, Dewald Nel, Colin Smith, Ryan Watson, Fraser Watts, Greig Williamson.

Surrey from: Scott Newman, Jon Batty, Mark Ramprakash, Graham Thorpe, Rikki CLarke, James Benning, Martin Bicknell, Tim Murtagh, Nayan Doshi, James Omond, Neil Sagger.