Wallace backs Scotland to reach for the stars

DEFIANT wicketkeeper Craig Wallace has backed Scotland to kick start their CB40 campaign by snuffing out the challenge of star-studded Durham.

The sides go into battle at Chester-le-Street tomorrow – and both are determined to make amends for events during the week. Wallace and Co were on the receiving end of a tame defeat by Hampshire at Uddingston, while Durham suffered a hammering at the hands of Somerset at Taunton in the County Championship.

The Forfarshire man said: “We are a much better team than the scores against Hampshire suggested. We know we can compete with and beat virtually any of the counties, but too many of us were lacking that crucial five per cent last weekend. There is no doubt we are very close to being a potent outfit at this level and we must prove that at Durham. It is a case of making sure we have the killer touch when it matters.”

Wallace admitted it will be difficult to assess how the trouncing at Taunton will affect the hosts. He said: “It could make them even more dangerous than usual, which would obviously make it harder for us. On the other hand, they may have suffered a dent to their confidence.”

Scottish Saltires squad (to play Durham tomorrow): Fraser Watts, Ryan Flannigan, Calum MacLeod, Jean Symes, Josh Davey, Richie Berrington, Preston Mommsen, Craig Wallace, Majid Haq, Matthew Parker, Gordon Drummond (cap), Ally Evans, Moneeb Iqbal