Scottish Cricket: Salmond returns as captain (7 July 1999)

7 July 1999

Scottish Cricket: Salmond returns as captain

Keith Graham

George Salmond returns to lead Scotland this morning at Mannofield, Aberdeen, when they begin their three-day game against MCC.

The Grange batsman, who led Scotland throughout their World Cup campaign, is free from his teaching duties but is the only member of the 15-man World Cup squad available for this game. Two others, James Brinkley and Asim Butt, both of whom played prominent roles in the World Cup campaign, plus Prestwick's Drew Parsons from last week's victorious Triple Crown team, are unavailable through work commitments.

It is a measure of the strength in depth that coach Jim Love has been working to develop that Scotland enjoyed success in Ireland last week and, despite call-offs, can still name a strong XI today.

Victorious Triple Crown captain Douglas Lockhart, who did not enjoy any luck last week with the bat, gets another chance to establish himself as the natural successor to the prolific Iain Philip, now retired from the international scene.

He is joined by four other members of the squad which went to Malaysia two years ago and won their way into the World Cup. Fellow opener Bryn Lockie is another to stake a claim for a permanent place at the top of the order while all-rounder Scott Gourlay, left-arm spinner Andy Tennant and paceman Kevin Thomson, playing on his home ground, will all be eager to remind the selectors of their credentials.

Also in familiar surroundings is Aberdeenshire's Colin Smith who has taken over behind the wickets from the retired Alec Davies. Smith has made an immediate impact, winning the man of the match award in only his fourth game against Wales last Thursday with an impressive half century and a total of five victims.

Two players who also made an impact during Scotland's Under-19 World Cup debut in South Africa 18 months ago, off-spinner and batsman Gregor Maiden and batsman Fraser Watts, are also seeking to establish themselves as permanent members of the international squad while Craig Wright will spearhead the bowling with Thomson. Batsman Rennie Keith wins his second cap.

Test players Andy Whittall, who captains the side, fellow Zimbabwean Paul Strang and West Indian opener Philo Wallace are in the MCC line-up. Play begins at 11am.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph