Cricket: Saltires hit by Grange deluge

SCOTTISH cricket was hit by more weather woes last night when its premier venue was left under five feet of water.

The Citylets Grange in Edinburgh suffered serious damage when the Water of Leith burst its banks, sending water pouring on to the historic venue.

Cricket Scotland officials immediately launched the search for an alternative venue for this week’s two World Cricket League fixtures with Canada.

And next month’s glamour one-day international against England was also plunged into doubt.

This blow came as the Saltires’ four-day Intercontinental Cup clash with the Canadians was abandoned without a ball bowled at Bothwell Castle Policies. Yet, the Uddingston venue has emerged as the only possible alternative to host this week’s games – despite not being accredited to stage official one-day internationals.

Officials from the governing body (International Cricket Council) were last night heading to Scotland to inspect the ground where one of the boundaries is understood to be too short to meet ICC regulations.

Euan McIntyre, Cricket Scotland’s head of operations, said: “The weather has left us with serious problems. It is clear that the games can’t go ahead at the Grange where there is five feet of water lying at the bottom end of the ground and a third of the playing surface is under water.

“I have been in touch with the ICC in Dubai and they are prepared to look at Uddingston to see if it can meet ODI standards.

“Realistically, it is the only ground which could possibly stage these games because our four ODI venues have all suffered with the unprecedented levels of rain and nobody has had a chance to prepare a wicket.”

Richard Done, the ICC’s high performance manager, is expected to deliver his verdict on the Uddingston venue today.