Ayr dried pitch means Scotland can finally see action

SCOTLAND’s action-starved cricketers are finally set to end their enforced mid-summer break when they face Canada today. The rain-hit Saltires have not completed a game since 4 June as the wettest summer for years has taken its toll. Last week’s four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup clash with the Canadians and the first of two crucial World Cup qualifiers against the same opponents were among the games washed out.

Today’s ODI against Canada at Ayr is on course to beat the weather, however, after the Cambusdoon ground was dried by a combination of sunshine and light wind yesterday.

Further sun is forecast throughout today and coach Pete Steindl said: “We’ve got our fingers crossed that we’ll finally get a game of cricket. It’s been a terrible season weather-wise and the guys are desperate to get on the park. In fairness to them they haven’t let the frustration get to them. They have worked really hard indoors and have managed to stay focused.”

Victory today would take the Saltires a point ahead of UAE into second place in the eight-team table from which two teams will automatically qualify for the 2015 World Cup.

They would, though, have played two games more than the Arabs and Steindl added: “There’s no denying this is a vital match. If we show the right qualities, hopefully we’ll take the opportunity to claim two points.”

Northants batsman Kyle Coetzer will make his first international appearance of the season following county commitments. The pace attack will be spearheaded by fit-again Gordon Goudie, while Derbyshire’s Ali Evans is also in line to start.

However, there is no place for Forfarshire all-rounder Matty Parker, who has been 
released from the original 
squad as he seeks full form and fitness following a serious hip operation.

Scotland squad: G Drummond (capt), C MacLeod, K Coetzer, J Davey, R Berrington, P Mommsen, C Wallace, M Haq, G Goudie, A Evans, F Watts, R Flannigan, J Stander.