Scotland looking to provide “a real challenge” to opponents at ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup

Scotland coach Peter Drinnen says his side are looking to provide their opponents with "a real challenge" at next month's ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka.

Drinnen knows his line-up, although full of talent, is unlikely to have quite enough quality to threaten the high-profile teams like those from the sub-continent and Australia, especially in conditions that are totally alien to them.

But that does not stop him believing and expecting his players will give a good account of themselves during the tournament.

"Conditions are considerably different to Scotland in mid-winter but we have prepared as well as we possibly can," he said.

"Our challenge will be adapting to conditions and dealing with the pressure of a global stage but we have one of our strongest U/19 sides competing and we are looking for solid performances each time we take the field.

"We are realistic but if we perform to our ability we will provide the opposition with a real challenge," added Drinnen, who has recently been appointed coach to the senior Scotland side.

Drinnen's optimism is probably based on several factors. To start with, six of his squad played in the previous tournament in Bangladesh in 2004 and the experience of such a global event is bound to stand them in good stead this time around.

On top of that, four players - captain Kasiam Farid, Richard Berrington, Gordon Goudie and Sean Weeraratna - had the chance to work on their techniques ahead of the tournament at the ICC's Winter Training Camp in Pretoria, South Africa.

Scotland will also take the field with the confidence of knowing they beat fellow Associate qualifier Ireland in the European tournament that booked both their places to Sri Lanka, in Dundee last July.

Set against that, of course, is the fact they have been handed perhaps the toughest draw that any side could expect as they have been placed in Group C against the favourites India and the hosts Sri Lanka, as well as fellow Associates Namibia.

The last time Scotland faced India in this tournament, two years ago, they conceded 425-3 in 50 overs and lost by 270 runs before also losing heavily against New Zealand (240 runs) and Australia (when they were bowled out for just 22, a tournament record low score).

Statistics like that will send a shiver down even the most strident Scotland supporter's spine but it should not be forgotten that after those three thumping losses they beat Nepal and Papua New Guinea to reach the Plate semi-final before defeat against eventual winners Bangladesh.

A comeback like that illustrates something Drinnen is well aware of: whatever Scotland lack in class, they will look to make up for in character, determination and effort.

"We have a solid cross-section of players, our attack is honest, (we are a) very good fielding team and (we have) a batting line-up that can produce," he said.

"I don't think we have any stars yet (but) our strength will come in the team working together... Please watch the unity within," he added.

Their batting includes Robert Cannon, the vice-captain, who made 121 against Denmark in the qualifying tournament, as well as captain Farid and it will also be interesting to see if they use all-rounder Gordon Goudie, primarily a seam bowler, as a pinch-hitter at the top of the order.

Andrew Hislop, the wicketkeeper and Richard Berrington, will also be expected to contribute strongly with the bat while Goudie and all-rounders Calum MacLeod and Weeraratna, whose father Tino is the team manager, are likely to lead the attack.

In conditions that traditionally favour spin over seam and swing, Scotland's biggest test could be to find slow bowlers who can create pressure and dismiss players who have been reared on playing the turning ball.

Farid, David Bill and Moneeb Iqbal (leg-spin), together with Cannon (off-spin) can all bowl spin but how well they can do so may well be given a severe examination over the next few weeks.

"Finishing in the top 12 would be a solid tournament for Scotland but the finishing position at the end of the tournament will take care of itself and as an Associate country we have other measures we need to reach," said Drinnen.

"We simply want to be competitive, play very good cricket as individuals and as a team, enjoy the whole experience of playing on the global stage and if we do that we have been successful."

This is Scotland's fourth U/19 Cricket World Cup after previously taking part in 1998, 2002 and 2004 and it marks the start of a massive twelve months for Scottish cricket.

The senior side is building up to a ICC Cricket World Cup of it's own, in the Caribbean in 2007, with ODIs likely to be played against both fellow Associate countries and even ICC Full Members before then.

And if any of the Scottish youngsters in Sri Lanka can produce some impressive performances then they may well give themselves a great chance of being part of that exciting period.

The Scotland squad is: Kasiam Farid (captain), Robert Cannon (vice-captain), Richard Berrington, David Bill, Tyler Buchan, Gordon Goudie, Andrew Hislop, Moneeb Iqbal, Scott MacLennan, Calum MacLeod, Aamir Mehmood, Umair Mohammed, Rajeev Routray and Sean Weeraratna.

Manager - Tino Weeraratna, Coach - Peter Drinnen, Asst. coach - Andrew Lawson, physiotherapist - Andrew Raselli.

The ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2006 will take place between February 5 and 19. 16 teams are scheduled to play 44 matches in 15 days at five different venues in Colombo.