Waugh wooed as Scotland look to future prosperity

Wednesday 16 July 1997

Waugh wooed as Scotland look to future prosperity

STEVE WAUGH could soon be playing for Scotland, a surprise outcome of Australia`s visit to Edinburgh last week.

Waugh, captain of the team frustrated by the weather on Saturday when they had Scotland on the ropes, has signified his interest in becoming player-coach for the Scots.

This would be for part of the 1998 season, when Scotland entertain an Australian A team and Bangladesh during two months of hectic cricket activity. In addition, there is the likelihood of a one-day international against Sri Lanka.

However, before Waugh is wooed, the Scottish Cricket Union will have to find sponsorship, thought to be in the region of -L20,000--L30,000.

The move represents a further stage in the development of Scottish cricket following their success in the ICC Trophy in Malaysia, where they won a place in next year`s Commonwealth Games and, of course, in the 1999 World Cup.

Barry Wood returns to active duty with Yorkshire this weekend, 31 years after leaving the county to join Lancashire. Now 54, he has been appointed captain of the Yorkshire Academy side and will play two matches in the Yorkshire League this weekend.

Yorkshire believe the former England all-rounder and one-day specialist`s experience can play a crucial role in the development of young players who have struggled to make an impact at league level this season.

Kent will be looking to put their Benson and Hedges Cup final disappointment behind them by re-igniting their champi- onship challenge against Leicestershire at Canterbury today.

With leaders Glamorgan playing the Australians, Steve Marsh`s side, in fourth spot, will be looking to close the 27-point gap via their game in hand.

Leicestershire, who remain unbeaten and might have been higher than seventh if it was not for nearly 13 days lost to the weather, have still not given up hope of successfully defending the title. James Whitaker, their captain, said: "There is still plenty of time left in the season and we`re not out of it by any means."

Surrey, Kent`s B & H conquerors, have been set a threewin target for the next three matches by their manager, Dave Gilbert, starting with Hampshire at Guildford.

Surrey languish 14th in the table with only one win in nine starts and their under achievement in four-day cricket has been a huge disappointment to Gilbert.

Second-placed Essex have no such worries and they hope to make it four wins out of five against struggling Northamptonshire in an effort to overtake Glamorgan.

Meanwhile, the Glamorgan fast bowlers Waqar Younis and Steve Watkin face fitness tests this morning before the match against the Australians in Cardiff. Watkin is still suffering from a back problem, while Waqar has a thigh strain.

Surrey`s Ben Hollioake is in the England Under-19 squad for this summer`s one-day series against Zimbabwe.

ENGLAND UNDER-19 SQUAD (v Zimbabwe): A Flintoff (Lancs, capt), O A Shah (Middx), S D Peters (Essex), D J G Sales (Northants), B C Hollioake (Surrey), D C Nash (Middx), A C Morris (Yorks), G J Batty (Yorks), A J Tudor (Surrey), P J Franks (Notts), D A Cosker (Glam), C M W Read (Gloucs), R J Sidebottom (Yorks).

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