CRAIG Wallace has two reasons to impress as the Saltires entertain Durham at Titwood today.
The Forfarshire wicket-keeper has recently returned to the international fold after almost a year out of favour and is anxious to cement his place as first- choice glove-man in the face of increasing competition.
He also knows a good performance against Durham could benefit his prospects of earning a longer-term deal there, having enjoyed an extended spell playing for their second XI this summer.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be back playing for the Saltires," Wallace said. "There were a few things I was told I needed to work on last winter and I put a lot of effort in so it's great the coaching staff have rewarded me for that. Playing with Durham has been a massive part in my progress - probably the main reason I've been able to get back in the Saltires set-up. Playing on a regular basis as these guys do, is vital to your development and I've really enjoyed that. They play five days a week and there is no substitute for that. It's an area where Scotland still lag behind.
"I don't know what the future holds for me down south but I know a good performance against Durham wouldn't do me any harm."
With David Murphy of Northants and Matthew Cross both keen to grab the gloves, Wallace knows batting ability will also play a part in who gets the selectors' nod for the big matches that lie ahead.
He looked the part last Sunday at the Oval, hitting 35 from just 20 balls - albeit in a losing cause.
"I enjoyed that - we had nothing to lose and I just decided to give it a go in what might be my last game on a Test ground for the Saltires," he said. "But realistically the game had gone and I'd love to have the chance to come on and score the runs that win a game.
"We have three chances this week and ideally we would like to win them all. We certainly don't want to go through the whole season without beating a county."
The Scots have managed at least one victory every season since joining the old Totesport League in 2003 and Wallace believes three games in quick succession will afford the chance to build momentum. After Durham, the Saltires entertain Hampshire on Tuesday and Lancashire on Thursday, also at Titwood, in what will be their final YB40 match, the ECB having opted to exclude Pete Steindl's side from future competitions.
"There is enough ability in our side," Wallace said. "We just need to put all aspects of our performance together at the same time and I think having three games in quick succession will help. We have to go hard at the county guys and hopefully the win will come."
Squad: P Mommsen capt, H Gardiner, F Coleman, R Berrington, C MacLeod, M Iqbal, C Wallace, M Haq, G Goudie, C Burnett, R Smith, G Drummond, M Leask, M Cross.
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