Full-time deal for Berrington boosts Saltires

The 22-year-old all-rounder, currently on a summer contract, has been handed a full-time deal in the wake of Dewald Nel's departure to Kent.

Berrington is rated one of the country's most gifted players and Saltires coach Pete Steindl said: "Richie has earned this chance. He has demonstrated a real desire to succeed and has worked really hard in recent years. Being full-time will give him the chance to take the next step."

Berrington, who already boasts 34 caps, has been a key player in Scotland's rise to the top of the Intercontinental Cup table. He produced his best batting and bowling performances – 80 runs and 3-13 in the victory over Kenya in Nairobi two months ago. Berrington joins Majid Haq and Gordon Goudie as Cricket Scotland's full-timers while Simon Smith, Qasim Sheikh and Ross Lyons have summer contracts.

Meanwhile, injuries mean England may have to select an inexperienced pace attack in their ICC World Twenty20 squad.

Four players offering a seam-bowling option have hurt themselves since the provisional 30-man squad was announced at the start of this month. When the selectors today name the 15 who have made the cut, those hopefuls who bowl seam-up and are fit therefore have a much improved chance of remaining in the running to play in the Caribbean.

Among those who could make the trip on that score – under Twenty20 captain Paul Collingwood – are recent Test recruits Tim Bresnan and Steven Finn, along with Ajmal Shahzad, Peter Trego, Chris Woakes and Sajid Mahmood.