Love aiming to conquer all (Scotish cricket) (16 June 1997)

Monday 16 June 1997

Love aiming to conquer all

By Mike Wilson

JIM LOVE and Scottish cricket should know within the next 48 hours the answers to some very important questions. Answers to concerns about the World Cup, for which Scotland qualified in a winner-takesall match against Ireland in April; answers regarding Scotland`s future in a sport which has set its stall to expand beyond the narrow confines of today`s Test nations.

For Love, the director of Scottish cricket, it must feel like a punch-drunk stagger from one cliff-hanging plot to the next. Even last week, he was hoping against hope that the rain would ease off and a vital three days of cricket between Durham University and Scotland`s B team could commence.

A game lost to weather is, however, nothing compared to the dramas he is about to face. On Tuesday morning, he should leave a Lord`s meeting of the International Cricket Council with a clearer understanding of Scotland`s status within the World Cup. After lunch, he will be batting for the financial support required to make Scotland`s participation creditable.

The suspense will be extraordinary. Love can be expected to put in a gritty performance. And logic, too, dictates a reasonable out- come since Scotland seek little more than parity with England - for example, on the residency qualification that enables foreign players to turn out for their adopted country. But it remains a moot point whether Scotland actually step up the international ladder or are instead condemned perpetually to hover on the verge of greatness.

"At the moment, we are in a huge state of flux," said Love, who spent 15 years at Yorkshire, played three one-day internationals for England and now bats for Heriot`s. "In the last three or four months the face of Scottish cricket has changed massively. We are now being expected to compete at a high level. What we hope is that the World Cup is not an one-off for us. It is a possibility that the meeting at Lord`s will even decide to increase the number of participants in the World Cup after next from 12 to 16. We don`t know what will be decided at the meeting, we don`t even know all that is being discussed. I`ll know a lot more by the end of the week."

If it wasn`t a busy week already, on Wednesday and Thursday, Scotland B take on the classy Star Club of India at Titwood, Glasgow. And then, on the following Tuesday, the first XI are in NatWest Trophy action against Gloucestershire in Bristol. While Scotland v Australia on July 12 at the Grange, Edinburgh, will be keenly anticipated, the fact that is it is categorised as a friendly encapsulates much of the Scottish frustration. To gain one-day international status would help win further converts, particularly among children and potential sponsors. Needless to say, Love has that objective also pencilled in for the next couple of days.

Closer to home, Love`s objectives are also clearly defined. He wants further amalgamation of leagues towards a truly national league structure. "The travel argument in Scotland doesn`t hold up. I don`t mind the point being heavily plugged because if it makes someone, even at the Scottish Cricket Union, get off their backside then fine."

He doubts the value of the Sunday, Area Championship. "There have already been call-offs, and it`s going to get worse. It`s unfair to ask blokes to play Saturdays for their clubs and then Sundays for their district, unfair on their families.

"We have got to become more player-friendly. I hope that is one thing that it is coming through since I`ve been with the SCU, that the players matter a hell of a lot. I`m not sure they have mat- tered a great deal until the last few years. I hope we are getting a better deal for the players, that is one thing I`ll fight for."

He is desperate for an indoor training centre that could, in time, become the base of an academy for talented youngsters. "I want to do more coaching. The SCU is well aware that I`ve been moaning and groaning for the best part of the four years since I became director to get an indoor cricket school where we can work with promising kids, get some really good work done."

On Tuesday afternoon, Love meets the proselytising Dr Ali Bacher - at Bacher`s invitation - identified with moves to develop the game globally. There will be no ducking the issue of hard cash - for facilities and also to recompense players and employers when Scotland calls.

"We have done well to qualify for the World Cup because it has been despite the system," said Love. "It`s been despite the fact that we haven`t got our best players playing against each other, week in, week out."

After asking players to take a month off work to compete in the ICC Trophy in Malaysia which led to their qualification for the World Cup, the Scots have yet been unable to gather a fullstrength side for senior matches, including in the Benson & Hedges Cup ties last month against Leicestershire, Durham, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire (all lost, except the match against Nottinghamshire, which was rained off).

Scotland have also qualified for the Commonwealth Games next year. Rumours abound that they may be chosen to play England in a World Cup warm-up.

Each new milestone brings a fresh set of expectations. Professionalism and performance assume even greater importance. A lot rests on Tuesday.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/)