Cricket: Majid Haq ruled out of Scotland's world league campaign

SCOTLAND's World Cricket League hopes were dealt a major blow last night when Majid Haq was ruled out of next week's tournament in Holland.

Spinner Haq missed Wednesday's stunning victory over India A with a calf injury sustained while playing for Clydesdale last weekend. He is also out of today's return match against the Indians and was last night withdrawn from the six-game WCL.

Coach Pete Steindl admitted: "It is a serious loss for us because Maj has been our most consistent bowler this season.

"He has been bowling some really impressive tight spells and has been in great nick so it's a shame. But the prognosis was that he might only be fit in time for our last game, if at all, so it's better that we manage the injury properly and ensure that he is right for next month's ODI against Bangladesh.

"Although it is disappointing, there will be an opportunity for someone else and we are beginning to develop strength in depth as we showed in beating India A with several key players missing."

Meanwhile, assistant coach Tony Judd has praised Scotland's batsmen for refusing to be intimidated by India's go-slow tactics at Titwood on Wednesday.

The Indians continually reduced the game to a standstill while Richie Berrington, Moneeb Iqbal and Gordon Goudie brought the Scots back from the brink of defeat to claim a remarkable win.

India took almost four-and-a-quarter hours to bowl their 50 overs – one hour longer than allowed in official ODIs and List A fixtures.

Judd said: "We were extremely disappointed that India took so long to get through their overs. I don't think I can ever remember a game going on so long when rain hasn't been a factor.

"It surely pays no regard for the 'spirit of cricket' to behave like that. If a captain had resorted to these tactics in an official ODI he would have been looking at a ban of at least one game."

Judd added: "It says even more for our players that they maintained their concentration. India were obviously trying to break our momentum especially when Richie and Moneeb were turning the game our way."

Goudie, who took four wickets and hit a crucial 26no in Wednesday's win, will be rested for today's return clash, also at Titwood.

His place goes to Carlton and Loughborough UCCE bowler Ally Evans while Preston Mommsen comes in for Fraser Watts and teenager Ollie Hairs could make his senior debut.