Richard Coughtrie will fulfil a "long-held ambition" when he pulls on a Saltires shirt in South Africa next month.

The Gloucestershire wicketkeeper/batsman first set his sights on a call-up when attending Durham Academy in 2005 alongside Kyle Coetzer and Moneeb Iqbal.

Coughtrie said: "Kyle and Moneeb were already involved in the Scottish system when we were at Durham. I wanted to join them, because I have a Scottish dad and thought I would qualify."

However, the 24-year-old's hopes were dashed when he learned there was no parentage rule in cricket, but when the International Cricket Council relaxed its regulations this summer, Coughtrie was quickly in touch with Cricket Scotland to state his claims.

"I was all over it when I learned they had brought in the parentage rule and now I'm being given a chance to fulfil a long-held ambition," he said. "I'm very, very proud to be given this opportunity.

"I went with my dad to support Scotland playing rugby and now I can't wait to play cricket for them. I know I will have to prove myself, but my aim is to establish myself and help Scotland win matches."

Coughtrie will be joined by three other English-born players, David Murphy (Northamptonshire), Matt Machin (Sussex) and Rob Taylor (Leicestershire), as the four county recruits on the month-long trip.