Cash boost for Cricket Scotland

Cricket in Scotland has been given a boost with an injection of more than £270,000 from Sportscotland. The funding will be used to provide extra coaching support as Scotland continue their efforts to qualify for the World Cup in 2007.

They will head to Ireland in early July to take part in the ICC Trophy in Ireland, where the top five teams will progress to the World Cup, which is being held in West Indies. Other uses for the money include trying to encourage more young people to take up the sport.

"Sportscotland's investment in cricket is greatly appreciated," said Roddy Smith, the chief executive of Cricket Scotland. "The sport is making steady progress in all areas, which would not be achievable without the ongoing partnership investment."