Cricket: Scots look to pluck of the Irish

In recent years, the Irish have claimed the scalps of two Test-playing nations – Pakistan and Bangladesh – giving rise to hope that similar shocks are within Saltires' capabilities.

Carlton all-rounder Lyons said: "We've seen with the Irish that anything can happen in one-day internationals.

"We are certainly not going out with a negative attitude and the aim is to be the best we can with bat, ball and in the field. If we achieve that I'm certain we'll be competitive."

Grange colleague Gregor Maiden is similarly upbeat in recalling how a spell with Lancashire provided a valuable insight to tomorrow's opponents.

"In the past, I have been fortunate to play with James Anderson at county level and against Graeme Swann in age-group matches.

"While, clearly, they are outstanding players they are also human and one delivery can sometimes be enough to unsettle them and turn a game around," said Maiden as he eagerly anticipates his first international match at the Stockbridge ground since 2005 on his 89th cap appearance.

As for Lyons, he is one of five survivors – along with Gavin Hamilton, Neil McCallum, Gavin Hamilton, Ryan Watson and Kyle Coetzer – from the team that faced England in the inaugural clash between the countries two years ago – albeit he is hoping for a better outcome.

Lyons added: "Unfortunately, we weren't able to do any proper bowling last time against England because of the rain arriving after just two-and-a-half overs of their reply to our innings (156-9).

"This time round, the weather forecast is much better and I hope to be selected to do a bit more than score three not out off a single hit, which was my main contribution to the 2008 match."

England are bringing a top-notch team north, mindful of the fact they begin a limited-over series with Australia next week.

Lyons said: "If England are going to beat us then it is better they do so with a full-strength team. Nobody wanted them sending up their second string and the fact that Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood etc are on board shows that they are taking this match seriously.

"It is a full-on one day international and, while I'd be delighted with a good wicket haul, which is my aim, it would be good to dismiss the likes of Pietersen or Collingwood.

"Certainly groundsman Lee Spendlove and his assistants appear to have done a great job preparing what looks a more spin-friendly wicket than two years ago."

Indications are that the ground could be bursting at the seams. "Club matches have been put back 24 hours and it should help us to have a higher than usual number of players in the crowd," Lyons said.

"Whenever we travel to England for Clydesdale Bank pro-40 matches it is noticeable how the county sides get a lift from big crowds. Hopefully, it is now our turn to benefit, and on a massive stage."

Scotland will take the field sharpened by almost a week's preparation having beaten the Netherlands in a four-day inter-continental cup match then gone down to the same opposition with just three balls remaining in a one-day international.

"The mood in the camp is really good particularly as, for three days against Holland, we played pretty much perfect cricket.

"If we struggled a bit getting over the finishing line but we got the win with something to work on which can help us."

Maiden, who gained his first cap in 1998, also played against the Dutch after being recalled this season following a break of two years.

He said: "There are some good young hitters coming through and it is great to see the selectors taking note of our premiership performances.

"It is an good league with a lot of even contests on some quality pitches such as the ones being prepared at Grange," he said.

"I've spoken to a lot of cricketers including my clubmate Mike Powell (a former England A captain) and he insists that the pitch for this match will be one of the best we've prepared.

"Ideally, we would want England to score 340 – then Scotland to arrive at a winning total of 341 in the last over!"