Saltires get parent rule boost and ICC cash backing

Published on 28/06/2012 02:34

THE Saltires have been given dispensation by the International Cricket Council to field non-Scotland born players who have a Scottish parent without a four-year qualification period.

Cricket Scotland chief executive Roddy Smith said: “The issue has been a prominent one for a number of years and we welcome the decision to allow players with Scottish parentage to be able to apply to the ICC for exceptional circumstances.

“As the Scottish passport does not exist, and parentage is not a recognised criterion, it meant many potential players who have parents born in Scotland have been ineligible if they were born outside the country.

“Cricket was almost unique in Scottish sport by being unable to select such players.”

There was further good news as Scotland was also given a cash injection by the ICC to expand the sport’s infrastructure.

The ICC executive board announced after a meeting in Kuala Lumpur that Scotland, and fellow associate members Ireland, would get £321,000 in additional annual funding.

The money comes from the governing body’s targeted assistance and performance programme (TAPP), which is aimed at developing greater competition below full member nations.

Scotland, whose funding lasts for the next three seasons, will use the money to help line up more high-profile matches against top international sides, both at home and abroad.

Smith said: “We are delightedwith the announcement. The additional support will enable us to enhance our national team programme over the next three years and support our young developing side in continuing their recent progress.

“Since 2009 we have been in the top three associate sides in 50-over and multi-day cricket and this, along with our ambitious application, enabled us to be one of the first two members to be awarded TAPP funding. The hard work will start now in putting these additional plans into action.”