Cricket: Gordon Drummond out of Saltires South Africa tour

By WILLIAM DICK
Published on 18/09/2012 01:28

SALTIRES skipper Gordon Drummond will miss next month’s tour to South Africa.

The Carlton all-rounder has work commitments and won’t be named in the 16-man squad.

Veteran batsman Fraser Watts will also miss the trip, details of which were announced yesterday.

The selectors will name their touring party next week but are likely to include a number of new faces, including at least one county player who qualifies through the ICC’s new eligibility rules. Coach Pete Steindl said: “We’ve been approached by several English county players who have a Scottish parent.

“Going on tour provides an opportunity to introduce a few fresh faces into the group.

“We are always looking to increase competition for places and an extended period away gives us a chance to assess what new players have to offer.”

Neil Carter, the veteran all-rounder who played his last game for Warwickshire in Saturday’s CB40 final, has already expressed an interest in playing for the Saltires.

Carter is unlikely to be involved in the South African trip but others who could come into contention include Northants wicketkeeper/batsman David Murphy and the young Sussex all-rounder Matt Machan.

The side will undertake a full programme of T20, 50-over and multi-day cricket during the four-week tour.

A match against the star-studded Highveld Lions will provide the sternest test of the tour which has been made possible by TAPP (Targeted Assistance Performance Programme) funding from the ICC.

The Scots will be based in Potchefstroom and will also face the North West Dragons and the Gauteng Strikers.