Saltires rely on youth as Butterworth is ruled out

The Saltires will go into the Oval showdown and Monday's clash with Warwickshire at Edgbaston without an overseas star after Luke Butterworth, their Australian recruit, was ruled out with a broken toe.

However, Steindl is confident that either of Butterworth's potential replacements - former Warwickshire star Calum MacLeod or Arbroath youngster Calvin Burnett - is capable of rising to the challenge.

MacLeod, who has been forced to re-model his bowling action since it was deemed illegal almost two years ago, has recently been on trial at Kent and appears to the more likely man to fill the Tasmanian's shows.

However, the uncapped Burnett had a successful stint in Australian domestic cricket with Adelaide University during the winter and may be the latest youngster to be given a taste of top-flight action.

The squad has an average age of just 23 and the coach said: "We looked at the possibility of bringing in a replacement overseas player, but that has not proved possible. I'm actually pleased that we will get the chance to test our own young players on another big stage. The route we are going down is to rebuild a team based on the guys who have come through our youth system and they will only learn from being put in situations like this.

"Calum has been training with us for a few weeks and already has good county experience so he is clearly going to be an asset.

"Calvin spent a successful winter in Australia playing at a high standard and is in the squad on merit. We won't pick the side until we see what conditions are like but I am pleased with the options at my disposal."

The Saltires are bidding to bounce back from last week's defeats to Durham and Leicestershire and skipper Gordon Drummond has called on his men to hit the ground running in the Bank Holiday double header.

He said: "We found ourselves playing catch-up against Durham and Leicestershire last week. Although we fought back well in both games I don't want us to be in a position where we have to fight back."

Surrey's attack will be led by former Saltires and Clydesdale pace bowler Yasir Arafat, while Ireland World Cup star Gary Wilson will be another familiar face.

Saltires squad: G Drummond captain, G Maiden, R Flannigan, E Chalmers, J Davey, R Berrington, C MacLeod, P Mommsen, M Haq, G Goudie, M Parker, O Hairs, C Burnett.