Scotland's biggest-ever match was last night saved after Indian officials clinched a lucrative new television deal.
Scotland's biggest-ever match was last night saved after Indian officials clinched a lucrative new television deal.
The one-off India v Pakistan encounter in Glasgow at the start of next month had been in danger in the wake of a contractual row involving live coverage in Asia of the event at Titwood and three other matches in Ireland.
Now the matches look certain to go ahead as planned thanks to a quickly struck agreement between the Indian Board of Control and the Nimbus TV company.
The Nimbus offer of more than £5m for each of the four fixtures was accepted and a relieved Cricket Scotland chief executive Roddy Smith said: "The news looks very promising. It seems as if the broadcasting problems have been sorted out, though I am still awaiting official confirmation.
"I had always been confident that after Zee TV had pulled out of providing the coverage that the Indian cricket board would find an alternative."
The breakthrough also means that the warm-up match between Scotland and Pakistan should also take place as scheduled.
- Sean Weeraratna last night took five wickets as Scotland's second string claimed a first innings lead against Lancashire at Alderely Edge.
The Scots, who posted 278 on day one, looked up against it as the county stars raced to 180-3 at lunch.
However, Weeraratna, the Greenock seamer, produced a fine spell to claim 5-79 as Lancashire were bowled out for 265.
Giles Holmes was the other successful bowler, the Grange paceman's three victims including top scorer Iain Sutcliffe who hit 78 from 154 balls.
However, the Scots still face a battle to force their first championship victory when play resumes this morning.
They go into the final day on 51-2, a lead of just 64, after Stuart Murray and Richie Berrington fell cheaply before the close.
The coach, Peter Drinnen, said: "The lads stuck to their task really well and Sean got his reward. But there is still a lot of hard work to be done."
