Worker named as Saltires pro

Cricket Scotland has announced that Kiwi George Worker will be the Scottish Saltires’ professional player for the 12 Clydesdale Bank 40 matches in the 2012 season.

Worker, while playing for Stewarts Melville Royal High CC, deputised for injured Australian Luke Butterworth for several CB40 matches last season, and featured in the victories over Northants and Warwickshire at the Grange. The 22-year-old has represented New Zealand under-19s and Central Districts.

Worker is currently closing in on 1,500 first-class runs with New Zealand outfit Canterbury, after scoring his maiden first-class hundred against Auckland, a match which also featured Aberdeenshire’s 2008 professional Todd Astle.

When not representing the Saltires, Worker will be the coach and professional at Myreside for Watsonian Cricket Club, who recently announced former Kent player Dewald Nel as their club coach.

Watsonian Cricket Club president, Ross Brooks said: “It is fantastic news to be able to announce that George is joining Watsonians for the summer, along with representing the Saltires, and I’m sure he’ll have a successful summer playing club and county cricket”.

Scotland Head Coach Pete Steindl added: “I’m looking forward to seeing George back in a Saltires shirt for our 2012 Clydesdale Bank 40 campaign. His attacking style of batting fits well at the top of the order, while his left-arm spin will also prove a handy asset. He will be warmly welcomed back into the dressing room after his positive impact last season.”