Scotland in crisis as Drinnen steps down

Peter Drinnen has stood down as Scotland's coach, ending a fortnight of speculation over his job. Cricinfo understands that Andy Tennant and Pete Steindl will be in charge until the end of the season.

On June 27 it emerged that Drinnen's position was under threat following a whispering campaign by senior players. "I always try to deal with people in an open, honest and respectful manner," he said. "It appears that some of my players - and I stress it is only a few - haven't been able to pay me the same courtesy."

He then called for the backing of Cricket Scotland, but today it was announced that the board had decided to appoint caretaker coaches for the national team until the end of the Twenty20 World Championship in September 2007. Officially, Drinnen will continue to work with the A team and Under-23s.

News of his departure had been circulating for a few days with one insider saying that the delay in making the announcement had been caused by the two parties having to thrash out contractual details.

Roddy Smith, chief executive of Cricket Scotland, said that "given Peter's wider remit, it is felt that a change of personnel is required with the national team".

Smith is likely to face awkward questions in the coming days as Drinnen is the second coach seemingly forced out by player power. In January 2006 Andy Moles quit in similar circumstances and he too failed to get backing from the board.