Ryan Watson welcomes his return to form after 'horrendous' year

RYAN Watson, the former Saltires skipper, feels last week's win over Leicestershire has helped him rediscover his love of the game.

The Grace Road victory provided a significant morale-booster for the whole Scottish game, coming as it did when expectations were low.

However, for Watson, who played a valuable all-round role in the humbling of the Foxes, the fillip derived from that four-wicket success was particularly welcome a year after his career had nosedived to an all-time low.

Twelve months ago Scotland's most prolific batsman was in the depths of despair as his reign as national skipper came to a sad end.

Watson eventually quit after suffering a significant loss of form, with Gavin Hamilton taking over as captain.

However, the Zimbabwe-born player appears to have turned the corner and is able to look ahead with confidence to this weekend's Clydesdale Bank 40 encounters with Kent and Notts at the Citylets Grange.

He said: "Last year at this time was absolutely horrendous.

"I'd got to the stage where I was putting so much pressure on myself that I just wasn't enjoying my cricket any more.

"But last week was a great feeling and I was as pleased with my own contribution as I have been for a while."

Watson took a brilliant diving catch and went on to claim two key wickets as well as securing a run out with a direct hit.

He then hit a solid 24 as he and Hamilton laid the foundation for a successful run-chase – the first time the Scots have won their opening fixture against a county side since 2003.

Now Watson is quietly confident they can repeat the heroics of seven years ago when they reeled off three wins on the trot during which Watson notched the third fastest century in history.

The former captain added: "Maybe it's an omen but I remember no-one gave us a chance in 2003, which was our first season in the old Totesport league.

"It was the same this year because we have had so many changes in the side.

"But the new guys came in and did really well and there is a nice feel to this squad.

"I'd like to think we can go on and build on last week's win and that I can get some big scores for the team."

Meanwhile, the Saltires will choose from the same 13-man squad who were on duty at Leicester after Carlton's Ross Lyons was last night released to play for his club.

Pete Steindl, the coach, said: "Last week was a great start but it is important that we go out against Kent and Notts and try to be even better.

"We expect two very tough games."