Cricket: Uddingston to host two Scotland matches

The fixtures, announced yesterday, have four games at Edinburgh’s Citylets Grange, and two at Bothwell Policies in Uddingston.

The Saltires will take on current CB40 Champions Surrey in the first home game of the season on Sunday 6 May before taking on the Nottinghamshire Outlaws the following day.

Both of those matches are to be held at the Citylets Grange.

Hosting games at Uddingston means former Scotland opening bowler Paul Hoffman, who is now the groundsman at the Bothwell Policies, will prepare pitches for the visits of the Welsh Dragons on Sunday 13 May and the Hampshire Hawks a week later on 20 May.

On news of Uddingston being selected to host these fixtures, Hoffman said: “It’s wonderful news for Uddingston Cricket Club and the surrounding community.

“Since I took over the groundsman duties here I have always been motivated by the possibility of hosting Scotland games and producing the best surface I possibly can for a great game of cricket.

“I am already really looking forward to it and fingers crossed for good weather.” Uddingston hosted its first Scotland match in 2000, with Denmark the visitors, after Clydesdale’s ground had been deemed unplayable due to a wet pitch.

The Policies also hosted Scotland’s big match of the summer a week later, when they took on the West Indies

The Saltires will then return to the Citylets Grange for their final two fixtures against Durham on 5 August and Somerset on 19 August.