Steindl extends Scotland deal

Scotland head coach Peter Steindl has signed a three-year contract extension. He will now be in charge of the team until December 2014.

Steindl's aim will be to guide Scotland back to a major tournament. His first opportunity will be in March when Scotland will travel to the United Arab Emirates for the World Twenty20 qualifying tournament. Scotland will need to reach the final of the 16-team tournament to win a place at the World Twenty20 in September. Their last appearance at a major tournament was in the 2009 World Twenty20, where they lost to South Africa and New Zealand in the group stage.

Steindl was appointed in 2008 and after the 2009 World Twenty20, when a number of senior players retired, set about rebuilding the side. He has produced a young squad with an average age of 24 and a good run of results - they have won nine of their last 13 ODIs against Associate nations and finished runners up in both the World Cricket League Division One and Intercontinental Cup.

"I am delighted to be given the opportunity to continue working with the Scotland team," Steindl said. "I have enjoyed the challenges this position has brought and I am committed to working hard to build upon the improvements we have made over the last two years.

Before the World Twenty20 qualifiers get underway, Scotland play UAE in an Intercontinental Cup match and two World Cricket League matches in Sharjah. The squad will also undertake a training programme in Sri Lanka.

"Continuity is vital as we look to progress with a young side that Peter has developed into a cohesive and competitive unit," Scotland chief executive Roddy Smith said. "He has formed an excellent management team with captain Gordon Drummond and we all look forward to working together in the next few important years."