Cricket: Weeraratna Down Under to put Heriot's on up and up

HERIOT'S cricket club have turned to one of their most distinguished former players of recent times as they look to bounce straight back from Division Two next season.

Still only 24 but capped by the Scottish Saltires 18 times, fast bowler Sean Weeraratna has agreed to take on the position of player/coach. The appointment comes as Weeraratna spends the winter with Brisbane club Valley, who propelled the likes of Matthew Hayden to international stardom with Australia.

Weeraratna said: "I've been promoted from the second grade into the first grade side at Valley so I'll hopefully hit the ground running when returning to Scotland in March when my six-month stint ends. It was always my intention to get involved in coaching at some stage and I've been picking up experience assisting one of the top schools, Brisbane Boys' Grammar.

"I started out at Heriot's and was actually 12th man (aged 14) when they won the Scottish Cup in 2000 and, apart from the last three or four years when I was at Greenock, I have played most of my cricket at Goldenacre so I have a big attachment." Weeraratna spent the 2008-09 winter at the same Australian club and this latest spell has helped him recover from an intercostal muscle injury which blighted the last Scottish campaign and undoubtedly interrupted a run of 18 caps during which he has taken 24 wickets including 2-14 against Kent on his second last appearance.

"Coaches such as Jim Love and Andy Moles had a big influence on me and hopefully some of what I learned can be used to help Heriot's in 2010. Also, when I was coming up through the ranks established internationalists such as Mike Allingham and the late Asim Butt were only too willing to pass on helpful advice. I am to try to do the same.

"I followed Heriot's fortunes last summer and it seemed they were only one quality player short of being a really good side. My remit includes producing a business plan for the season ahead and looking out while in Australia for a pro and an overseas amateur.

"With less travelling for my domestic cricket that time can be used positively," he said.

That will be good news for both Heriot's and the Saltires, whose schedule includes a one-day international with England at Raeburn Place in June.