Cricket: Decision due over Luke replacement

Cricket Scotland are today deciding whether to recruit a replacement for overseas pro Luke Butterworth after the all-rounder was called up by Australia A for a tour of Zimbabwe.

Butterworth has played just three of the Saltires' seven matches in the Clydesdale Bank 40 series against English counties after suffering a toe injury and his international call comes immediately after regaining fitness.

Saltires' next two outings in the CB 40 are against Northants and Warwickshire, both at the Grange, Edinburgh, on July 17 and 18, and while Butterworth will be missing he has pledged to return for fixtures later in the season.

Roddy Smith, Cricket Scotland chief executive, said: "When we signed Luke we always knew it was about 99 per cent certain he would be called up by Australia A. We are pleased for him because it is obviously a big honour."

Saltires could soon be without another player with opener Calum MacLeod going on trial with Kent today in two twenty:20 matches against MCC Young Cricketers and Surrey on Thursday. MacLeod was released by Warwickshire last September.