Scotland announce record turnover

Cricket Scotland have announced a record turnover of £1,778,891, yielding a surplus of £40,121 for the 2007 calendar year.

The annual report and accounts will be tabled at the annual general meeting (AGM) of the governing body at Stirling Cricket Club on March 30. Much of the increase in turnover is the result of the staging of the inaugural offshore international in Scotland, the ODI between India and Pakistan last summer, even though not a ball was bowled because of the sodden conditions after two weeks of rain.

With the Scotland A team playing for the first time in England's 2nd XI Championship, domestic cricket costs also rose significantly - in addition to the costs of Scotland participating in the 2007 World Cup. However, sponsorship income increased by roughly £100,000, in addition to extra revenue grants of £60,000 from the ICC and £40,000 more from sundry sales and fund-raising activities.

"It was a helter-skelter year for us at all levels, so we must be pleased to have emerged with financial credit," Keith Oliver, the chairman of Scottish Cricket Limited, said. "But we need to continue to make annual surpluses if we are to build up our reserves to a sensible level in relation to our turnover."

Roddy Smith, chief executive of Cricket Scotland, added: "The annual report accompanying the publication of the accounts demonstrates the continuing progress of the sport in Scotland, across all fronts.

"In 2007, our senior team played eight of the ten Full Member ICC countries, including a last-ball ODI finish against the West Indies. And we have over 20,000 people participating in our cricket activities at grassroots club and school levels."