Cricket: All four Scots miss out on landing BPL auction deal

By WILLIAM DICK
Published on 21/12/2012 00:00

PETE Steindl last night expressed disappointment after none of his Saltires stars landed a deal in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Four Scots went into the auction for next month’s lucrative tournament, in which seven franchise teams will compete.

But Kyle Coetzer, Majid Haq, Calum MacLeod and Preston Mommsen failed to attract a single offer between them.

National coach Steindl declared: “It’s disappointing that none of the lads have made it through the auction.

“They would have gainedfantastic experience of a high level of T20 action as well as getting great exposure for themselves and for Scottish cricket.

“But, with the advent of these T20 franchises and player auctions, the competition for places is high with lots of players vying to get picked.”

While Coetzer took part in the BPL earlier this year, the biggest surprise among the Scottish omissions wasMacLeod who boasts a T20 strike-rate of 140 runs per hundred balls faced.

Selection would have given the Saltires quartet timely practise at the start of a crucial year which will see Scotland push for World Cup qualification in both T20 and 50-over formats.

Steindl added: “As an organisation Cricket Scotland is happy for our players to compete in high-profile tournaments when it doesn’t conflict with our own fixtures or preparation.

“We’ll be working hard indoors over the next couple of months but outdoor action is always preferable.”

Ireland fared better than the Scots with Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling both securing playing contracts.

Bangladesh’s former captain Shakib Al Hasan became the highest-paid “golden category” cricketer after the reigning champions, Dhaka Gladiators, bought him.

The tournament begins on 18 January, with Rangpur Riders being added to the six founding franchises from the 2012 event.