Dougie Brown, the former Scotland all-rounder, has insisted Warwickshire have every confidence in their fast bowler, Calum MacLeod, after the youngster was reported to the ICC with a suspect bowling action.

Dougie Brown, the former Scotland all-rounder, has insisted Warwickshire have every confidence in their fast bowler, Calum MacLeod, after the youngster was reported to the ICC with a suspect bowling action.

Brown, who played for both Scotland and England during his career, now works at Edgbaston in the company of Ashley Giles, the former Ashes-winning spinner, and Allan Donald, the South African pace legend. Brown said work has already started on rebuilding and remodelling MacLeod's action, and that, although the process will take time, he believed it would transform the young Scot into a more dangerous performer in the future.

"It will be better for Calum in the long term and although this is a big dip for him, he is a confident lad and he is determined to get it sorted out," said Brown. "We noticed there was a problem during the Intercontinental Cup match against Canada in Aberdeen, but it is nothing that can't be sorted and I have every confidence, given that Calum is only at the beginning of his career, that he will go on to enjoy an illustrious time in cricket once this is resolved."

Brown added that, although MacLeod pulled out of the Scotland squad for this week's brace of one-day matches with Canada, that was simply so that he could start the remedial work with Donald and Giles as quickly as possible.

"I don't have any negative feelings about this at all.

We thought there were one or two things we could do to improve Calum's action and now we are going forward with these," said Brown. "He has responded excellently so far and we are all upbeat about his attitude and talent and about the fact he will emerge from this the stronger."

Two other Scotland bowlers also have their problems, with Dewald Nel and Gordon Goudie being warned that they face a fight for their places in the side for next month's games with Ireland.

The pace pair, two of the country's full-time professionals, are winning their fitness battles as they recover from finger and shoulder injuries. However, their international captain, Gavin Hamilton, last night said they are not guaranteed to walk straight back into the side.

Hamilton admitted that he was impressed by youngsters Ally Evans and Stuart Chalmers, who stepped in for the injured duo in this week's ODIs against Canada.

Evans, who plays for Carlton, and the Grange all-rounder Chalmers both impressed on their debuts along with Marc Petrie, the teenage Arbroath wicketkeeper.

Hamilton said: "We should have Gordon and Dewald available again by the time Ireland come to Aberdeen. But no-one is entitled to automatic selection and what we saw against Canada shows that we have some exciting talent coming through."