Hamilton cricketing brothers have high ambitions

Two Hamilton cricketers have a single-minded ambition to make it in the professional game.

And though he’s biased, dad Nayyar Umeed reckons sons Simon and Nathan have what it takes to go all the way.

Nayyar would know, having been an accomplished batsman in his day who is now a Level 2 coach at Uddingston Cricket Club, where the boys play.

Simon, 14, is already on the pathway, having come through national trials to earn selection for the Scotland under-15 squad.

He has also played some senior cricket with Uddingston.

Younger brother Nathan, 12, isn’t far behind, already playing in Uddingston’s under-15s and described as one of the fastest bowlers the youth game has ever seen.

Nayyar, who is also a Cricket Scotland west region coach, said: “They are very good. The reason they started playing cricket is because they want to make it their career.

“They are going all the way through, if they get their way. They have nothing else in mind.

“Many times when we sit together and talk together it’s about cricket, nothing else.

“Obviously they do well with their schooling and if they can, they will go to college or university, but the way they’re playing, other coaches are looking at them and saying they are on the right path and can go through the proper cricket channels.

“They say they can become professional cricketers and their cousin Andrew is a professional, so he can offer some advice.”

Nayyar says his sons can also be an inspiration to others. He added: “They are both doing very well, they have done brilliantly this year.

“They’ve been playing good cricket all the way through, but this year they have done particularly well.

“Nathan is a proper fast bowler, he’s collected so many runs this year and he’s developing as a