Gordon Drummond demands focus as Scots start Intercontinental campaign

SALTIRES captain Gordon Drummond has warned that there can be no drop in intensity levels if the Scots are to enjoy success in the Intercontinental Cup.

Drummond's men launch a marathon campaign against the Netherlands at Mannofield, Aberdeen, today. The re-formatted competition will not reach its climax until late 2013 and the skipper insists focus will be vital during the course of seven gruelling games over a potential 28 days.

Drummond, whose side fell at the final hurdle against Afghanistan last year, declared: "Focus is going to be absolutely crucial throughout the whole competition.

"There is a lot of cricket to be played and it is going to be intense. Games played over four days can change suddenly, as we discovered in the final.

"We were in a really strong position until one bad session gave the initiative away. I want to make sure we retain our focus in every single session, not just against the Dutch but in every match.

"Getting to the final was a great achievement for a new and inexperienced side, but we want to go one better this time."

This is Scotland's first four-day fixture since that final last December and Drummond knows his players must quickly adapt to the longer format following a diet of limited-overs cricket.

He added: "Whichever side adjusts quicker to the four-day game will have a big advantage. Again, it comes down to retaining our focus on the big picture."

The Scots won the corresponding fixture in Holland during the last campaign, but Matty Parker - man-of-the-match on that occasion - misses the Aberdeen clash with a hip injury.

New-ball duties look set to be shared by local Stoneywood-Dyce seamer Gordon Goudie and Carlton's Ali Evans.

Meanwhile, the Saltires are boosted by the availability of Durham batsman Kyle Coetzer. The Dutch, without their county duo of Alexei Kervezee and Ryan ten Doeschate, could field seven players who were born outside the Netherlands.

Scotland: G Drummond capt, F Watts, P Mommsen, A Evans (Carlton), K Coetzer (Durham), R Flannigan (Watsonians), N McCallum (Grange), S Smith (Heriot's), G Goudie (Stoneywood-Dyce), C MacLeod (Uddingston), M Haq (Clydesdale), R Berrington (Greenock).

Netherlands: P Borren capt (VRA), A Malik (VOC), W Barresi, T Cooper (both VRA), T de Grooth (HCC), T Heggelman (Excelsior '20), N Kruger (Oxford University), M Luten (Bloemendaal), M Bukhari (ACC), P Seelaar (Hermes-DVS), M Swart (Bootle), E Szwarczynski and B Westdijk (both VRA).