A new era in Scottish cricket was launched yesterday when four English-born players were named in the squad that will tour South Africa next month.
The inclusion of Richard Coughtrie (Gloucstershire), Matt Machan (Sussex), Rob Taylor (Leicestershire) and David Murphy (Northamptonshire) follows a recent change in regulations which permits players of Scottish parentage to turn out for the Saltires.
Pete Steindl, the national coach, was at pains to point out that the new quartet will have to prove they are worth a full cap, stressing that they will initially play only for a Scottish XI.
Steindl, who anticipates a mixed response to the new selection policy, said: "This tour is a fantastic opportunity for us to look at a few new players who could have something to offer, but it is not an official Scotland tour and no caps will be handed out. These will have to be earned and that is the message both to the new guys and more established players.
"The key for me is that we should have more competition for places. Competition prevents complacency and keeps everyone on their toes and needing to prove that they are always worth their place in the team."
A fifth Englishman, Yorkshire's Iain Wardlaw, would also have been included but for county commitments at the T20 Champions League.
However, with no fewer than eight regulars and pos-sible new picks unavailable, Steindl added that the decision to include the county men had been made easier.
Gordon Drummond, the captain, and the most capped player Fraser Watts have work commitments while Kyle Coetzer is on honeymoon. Ewan Chalmers, Calvin Burnett and Craig Wallace are at university as is Matty Cross, who might have earned a call-up, while Matty Parker was not considered for fitness reasons.
Steindl added: "It worked out well that so many players were unable to tour for one reason or another. I'm sure the squad would have been dif-ferent had we had full availa-bility but I'm looking forward to working with the guys who are going." These include the uncapped Stoneywood-Dyce batsman Michael Leask, the sort of home-grown player whom Cricket Scotland remain committed to producing.
Andy Tennant, head of performance, stated: "Cricket Scotland takes great pride in its teams having a majority of players who are products of our excellent age-group and academy system. This will always be our aim. However, where we can supplement our squad with eligible Scots who have been developed elsewhere, we will."
The 15-man squad leaves for South Africa next week and their month-long schedule starts with a glamour T20 against the Indian Premier League champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, on October 9.
Saltires squad
Richie Berrington, Richard Coughtrie, Josh Davey, Alistair Evans, Ryan Flannigan, Gordon Goudie, Majid Haq, Moneeb Iqbal, Michael Leask, Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Preston Mommsen (captain), David Murphy, Safyaan Sharif, Rob Taylor
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