Scotland to prepare for World Cup with trip to Sharjah

Scotland will leave behind the sleet and snow of the moors and head to sunny Sharjah this April as part of it's build-up for it's World Cup debut in May. The Scots, determined to maximise their preparation by avoiding the potential climactic limitations of home, will play a series of matches in Sharjah from April 16-27.

Their Director of Cricket, Mr Jim Love, indicated the purpose was two-fold. "It is the first time our players will have to get used to the white ball which will be used in the World Cup and we're almost guaranteed fine weather and grass practice areas."

Although arguably fielding the most amateur of squads in the World Cup, seven players will return from club experience in Australia and New Zealand for the Sharjah series of matches.

They are: veteran opener Iain Philip (Stenhousemuir) playing for Scarborough, Perth, WA; John Blain (Northamptonshire) (Taranaki District CC, New Zealand); Drew Parsons (Prestwick) (Gold Coast Dolphins - Craig McDermott's club in Queensland); Douglas Lockhart (Glasgow Academicals) (Melbourne), Colin Smith (Aberdeenshire) (Perth, WA) and Ian Stanger (Clydesdale, Scotland) (Perth,WA).