A new era dawns for Scottish cricket today when 22 of the country's best players meet at Titwood in the opening game of the LiveSport.co.uk Pro Series, writes William Dick.
It is an initiative which will involve the Reivers and Highlanders meeting in three formats of the game including – for the first time – multi-day cricket. It is also a forerunner to a new European League to be launched next summer in which the two Scottish sides will compete with teams from Ireland and the Netherlands.
Andy Tennant, Cricket Scotland's performance director, believes the new tournament will provide the highest level of competition ever witnessed in the domestic game, providing a necessary stepping stone for aspiring Saltires players.
The three sides, who previously competed in a Tri Series, have been whittled down to two and Tennant said: "The new Pro Series will feature the cream of Scottish-based players in action in all formats of the game. It is an exciting initiative which provides the perfect opportunity for our best home-based guys to compete for places in the national team."
Neither side are at full strength for today's 50-over-a-side opener at Titwood, Glasgow, but Reivers have been harder hit. They are without Andrew Umeed, Alex Baum and Nick Farrar who have exams while Gavin Main and Safyaan Sharif are injured.
Craig Wallace, Ryan Flannigan and Dewald Nel are unavailable for Highlanders, whose coach Neil MacRae masterminded two Tri Series successes in the side's previous incarnation as the Caley Highlanders. MacRae, whose squad has been boosted by the integration of players from the now-disbanded Eastern Knights, said: "We'll be using this season to develop the squad and build a good spirit.Obviously, we want to be successful but this season is about preparing for the new international competition next summer. I think we have strength in depth although the Reivers have a few matchwinners who will be very dangerous."
Reivers, formerly Western Warriors, will be coached by Steve Knox, who has replaced Tony Judd. The match marks the return to competitive action of Qasim Sheikh, who has been selected for Reivers after issuing an apology for criticising Pete Steindl, the national coach.
Before the match, both captains will be presented with their kit by shirt sponsor OnlineWillsUK.com.
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