Watson back as skipper for Saltires clash with Durham

Published on Friday 9 May 2008 22:18

FOLLOWING the birth of his first child, Ryan Watson returns to captain the Scottish Saltires when they make their latest appearance in the Friends Provident Trophy, against Durham Dynamos at the Citylets Grange ground in Edinburgh on Sunday.

The selectors have named the squad that defeated Lancashire Lightning by two runs at Old Trafford last Monday, although Navdeep Poonia is no longer available because of his Warwickshire commitments.

Gordon Drummond will be assessed by the Scottish medical team prior to the game as he is recovering from a hamstring injury incurred against Lancashire.

Richie Berrington, who was 12th man at Old Trafford, is being released to play for Greenock against Scotland's U19 team in the additional Lloyds TSB Scotland national league match at Glenpark on Sunday.

Head coach Peter Steindl said: "We hope to keep the momentum going after Monday's uplifting victory. Durham, last year's champions, will be a very stiff test for the team, but we hope to compete well against them."

Under 18s will be allowed free access to the game if accompanied by a paying adult.

&149 Paul Collingwood's injury niggles have left England's selectors with an anxious wait ahead of the first npower Test squad announcement tomorrow.

Collingwood is suffering from a lower back problem less than a week before the Lord's contest against New Zealand and was due to have an injection in an ongoing right shoulder injury yesterday evening.

"Paul has received treatment for stiffness in his lower back and a sore right shoulder," said an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesperson.

Scottish Saltires: Ryan Watson (Forfarshire, captain); Dewald Nel, Craig Wright (both Greenock); John Blain (Rotherham); Ed Cowan (Uddingston); Gordon Drummond (Watsonians); Gordon Goudie (West of Scotland); Gavin Hamilton (East Brierly); Neil McCallum (Grange); Glenn Rogers (Stenhousemuir); Colin Smith (Aberdeenshire, wicket-keeper), Fraser Watts (Carlton).