County versus country
Scotland take on England for the first time in a one-day international on Monday and have their county players available
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
Scotland take on England for the first time in a one-day international on Monday and have their county players available. But that isn't always so, and it's an ongoing battle for Associates, especially Scotland and Ireland who have a players on county books. Kyle Coetzer will make his ODI debut against England and has had to wait until now because of his Durham career. In Scotland on Sunday, Mark Woods looks at the issue which is threatening the creditability of Associate cricket.
It is a conflict that the International Cricket Council plans to end. In return for a vast increase in investment in the second-tier Associate nations, the full members who control the sport want to see progress on the field. However, it is unfair to judge a sub-strength side. Coetzer missed last month's crushing eight-wicket loss to New Zealand, while a fortnight ago, Ireland saw in-form Middlesex batsman Eoin Morgan pull out of the World Twenty20 qualifiers at the last minute. He wanted to miss a day's play to turn out in a televised Pro40 tie. The Irish said no. A week later, he was called into the England Lions' squad. Was there any doubt he'd turn up for that? Not a chance.
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo