Armed Forces to warm up Saltires for England

SCOTLAND'S cricketers are to take on the might of the military in the build up to their clash with new world Twenty20 champions England.

The Saltires will do battle with a Forces Select in a charity match at the Citylets Grange on 17 June – two days before they go head-to-head with England in a one-day international at the same venue.

Profits from the encounter will go to the Help the Heroes campaign and it was revealed that the home team jumped to the appeal's rescue after England star Andrew Flintoff was forced to pull out of another planned game.

Sergeant John Sargant of RAF Lossiemouth, the event organiser, said: "The idea came to me when 'Freddie' Flintoff visited Camp Bastion, in Afghanistan.

"He agreed to play in a match to raise money to support the casualties, but unfortunately had to withdraw through injury. However, Cricket Scotland and the Grange Club came to the rescue."

Most of the Scottish-based Forces Team are from RAF Lossiemouth, the reigning RAF Cup holders and Twenty20 champions, with additional players from the Royal Navy and Army Units in Scotland.

Two of the Saltires side were at Ferry Hill Primary School in Edinburgh yesterday to launch the Scottish Asda Kwik Cricket competition, with the help of Shona Robison, minister of public health and sport.

Gordon Goudie and Richie Berrington took time out ahead of this weekend's double-header at the Grange against Kent and Notts to host a coaching session to introduce youngsters to the sport.

The Asda Kwik Cricket Competition in Scotland culminates in a national final in June. The Scottish champions are then invited to the UK finals on 14 July at Derby County Ground, with 15 other qualifiers from across the UK.

Ms Robison said: "Cricket offers a brilliant way for young kids to get outside, do some exercise and have fun. It is fantastic to see over 2,500 young cricketers take part in the competition across Scotland and we want to see more schools get involved."