STAND-IN skipper Matt Machan believes Scotland can recover from Friday's mauling by New Zealand A in today's return match.

However, the Sussex star is convinced the country's home-based players need more frequent exposure to top-quality cricket.

The Scots, without seven players currently performing on the county scene, were hammered by 199 runs as the star-studded Black Caps went on a run rampage at Cambusdoon.

Scotland may be boosted by Somerset's Josh Davey and Freddie Coleman of Warwickshire for the second encounter in the three-match series, also at Ayr.

Machan, who will again take charge in the absence of Kyle Coetzer and Preston Mommsen, said: "Obviously we knew before the game that they are a really strong side but it's still disappointing how we played.

"Unfortunately our skill wasn't quite there under pressure at the back end but the guys have done it before so they know they can do it again.

"We can still take some positives, especially the way we started the game and built pressure just up to the back-end of the power play.

"We haven't played really strong opposition like that for quite a while now and I think it caught the guys a little by surprise, but hopefully we can adapt quickly and be ready for Sunday."

Scotland's home-based players have had a dearth of top-flight action this summer, with only three completed international matches before Friday, and Machan believes that put his side at a huge disadvantage.

"To be honest it's chalk and cheese, the difference between club cricket and what we face against New Zealand A.

"I'm fortunate I'm one of the ones who play county cricket but all the guys would like to play under pressure more often because that's what improves you as a player and sharpens you up.

"Last year was perfect with the Pro40 county competition but this year we've had a game against England, a short series against Holland and now this. That's just about been it and unfortunately today you saw the difference.

"We had a lot of club cricketers today facing up to a side who have eight or nine Test players, and that's hard.

"These guys have just won a big series against England A and Sri Lanka A and they scored 400-plus against Northants, so we're not the first side they've done it to."

Machan's men had been in contention after reducing the Black Caps to 139-5 before an astonishing onslaught from Grant Elliott (109) and BJ Watling (119no) propelled them to 347-6. Machan added: "After 40 overs of their innings I thought we were in an absolutely great position and could have kept them to 270 which we thought was about par.

"Obviously credit to Watling and Elliott who batted outstandingly well and at a level where our batting needs to get to, but we have to take things away from this game and learn individually.

"For two-thirds of their innings we did really well so on Sunday we'll be looking to take that through the full 50 overs and create more pressure at the back end.

"As far as the batting goes we have to get more partnerships going but I thought Richie Berrington (42) looked back to his best and hopefully we can back him up.

"We must also cut out the loose shots some of us were out to."

The final match in the series takes place in Edinburgh on Thursday.