Cricket: Drummond happy to guide young Chalmers again for Scotland debut

Published on Wednesday 1 July 2009 09:58

SCOTLAND'S new cricket captain, Gordon Drummond, will again take the country's latest internationalist, Ewan Chalmers, under his wing when a fresh era gets underway with a four-day match against Canada starting tomorrow in Aberdeen.

Drummond is currently plying his craft with Carlton but, in 2006, he was skippering Watsonians when Chalmers, pictured right, burst on to the senior domestic scene as a 16-year-old schoolboy.

"I well remember that the attitude then at club level was to give any player his chance regardless of age provided he was good enough. Ewan fitted in straight away and I'm sure he'll take any international call in his stride also," says Drummond, who inherits the role from the unavailable Gavin Hamilton.

In preparing for a debut, Chalmers, who has two years remaining of a mathematics degree at St Andrews University and refuses to rule out the possibility of seeking a county contract in England after that, pays tribute to a string of coaches who have helped him to a landmark cap.

"I was fortunate when starting out that I had coaching from (ex-Scotland world cup captain) George Salmond at primary school while Willie Morton, Neil McCallum and former club pro James Henderson have also helped me.

"A three-week trip to Australia with the Scottish under-19s in January helped keep my cricket ticking over and at the start of this season I was fortunate that some runs came my way.

"In particular, a century against Scotland under-19s and another against Greenock helped me into the Scotland A side for some three-day games against English county 2nd XI's and especially as we play mainly 50 overs a side games at club level the longer format was useful," said the man whose dad, Fraser, was a stalwart of Royal High cricket for many years.

Currently averaging just over 73 in the Premiership where he has amassed 366 runs so far (two not outs), Chalmers continued to contribute as 'Sonians chased down a 30 over target of 201 against Ayr at Myreside last Saturday.

And it might not be too long before he is joined in the senior international ranks by younger brother Andrew, who is currently representing Scotland under-17s.

Meanwhile, captain Drummond is calling on his side to draw on recent experiences of competing against some of the world's leading players when they tackle Canada at the start of the Inter-Continental Cup series.

The Scots are back in action for the first time since contesting the ICC World Twenty:20 tournament last month and, while the format may be vastly different, Drummond believes there can still be parallels.

"One of the things we took from the twenty:20 was the confidence shown by our New Zealand and South Africa opponents. We were in their workplace and that enabled us to see how as full-timers they brought a professional approach.

"However, especially against New Zealand we were able to mix in that company so that should stand us in good stead." Since the twenty:20, Scotland have been hit by the retirals of wicket-keeper Colin Smith and all-rounder Craig Wright.

But Drummond insists: "The overall ethos will be the same as when Gavin Hamilton is in charge but, in terms of personnel, there are opportunities for the likes of Chalmers. As well as ability he has outstanding temperament and the four-day game should suit him.

"Ewan's one of a number of our players, including Ryan Watson, who have been playing the longer format for the Scotland Lions and that can prove useful. From my point of view it is a huge honour to captain Scotland for the first time. But, wearing the jersey won't be enough as we have to win also against a Canadian team we defeated inside three days in last year's Inter-Continental Cup, although I suspect they will be stronger this time around."

Replacing Colin Smith behind the stumps will be Grange's Simon Smith, who has recovered from a hand injury.

As for Canada, they will be along familiar lines although missing is John Davison, who made a spectacular impact on the 2003 World Cup when reaching a century from 67 balls, then the quickest century in tournament history.

Scotland: Gordon Drummond (captain), Ryan Watson, Fraser Watts, Jan Stander, Neil McCallum, Simon Smith, Qasim Sheikh, Moneeb Iqbal, Majid Haq, Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Ewan Chalmers.