Lockhart confident of taking his chance

Dougie Lockhart, the Scotland batsman who has been shunted up and down the order in recent years, will relaunch his international career this week when Scotland take on UAE in an Intercontinental Cup match at Sharjah.

What part Lockhart plays in proceedings remains to be seen for a player who, in recent seasons, has become the victim of his own versatility. The utility tag has not always worked to the advantage of the West of Scotland batsman/wicketkeeper to whom such alliterative obriquets as "Dedicated Dougie" and "Loyal Lockhart" have inevitably attached themselves.

Lockhart has responded to a string of disappointing omissions with commendable stoicism and, given a dearth of top-flight action of late, it is remarkable that he remains the country's third most-capped player with 135 international appearances.

Only skipper Craig Wright and Clydesdale all-rounder Greig Williamson have more, though Lockhart would surely be out on his own if a succession of selectors had recognised him for what he is - a solid opening batsman.

Instead, the former Oxford Blue has been shunted up and down the order in bewildering fashion, on occasion appearing only to retain his squad place on the strength of his alternative role as wicketkeeping understudy to Colin Smith.

The Sunday Herald has the full interview.