Scotland appoint Cottam

Cricket Scotland have announced that former England bowling coach Bob Cottam will be joining their coaching staff in the lead-up to the all important ICC Trophy competition to be held in Ireland in July 2005.

Cottam has been in Edinburgh this week working with the Scotland's players and it has been confirmed that he will spend a further 30 days with the squad both before and during the tournament which will decide qualification for the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

In a 13-year first-class career Cottam took over 1000 wickets for Hampshire and Northants and played four Tests taking 14 wickets at an average of 23.35. After retiring he coached Warwickshire and Somerset before becoming England's bowling coach from 1998 to 2001.

Scotland coach Andy Moles said he was delighted at the prospect of teaming up with a former mentor from his days at Warwickshire. "I have personal experience of working with Bob from my playing days, and having spoken to some bowlers with whom he has worked it is clear he will be a valuable asset to the Scotland coaching staff," he explained. "He has worked with many world class cricketers, and his appointment is further proof that Cricket Scotland is doing everything it can to ensure success in the forthcoming World Cup qualifying tournament".

For his part, Cottam was "delighted to be renewing acquaintance with Andy and I have already been extremely impressed with the attitude of the players here in the short time I have spent with them. I am looking forward to helping the team meet their objectives over the coming season".