Scotland join championship

Scotland’s second tier of international cricketers will play at least six three-day matches in the 2007 Second XI Championship.

Scotland A have been accepted for the first time into the established county second-string tournament, and will play away matches against six different counties. Fixtures will be announced in due course.

Scotland A cricketers will therefore play at least 18 days of high-level cricket during the 2007 domestic season - in addition to the three one-day matches in the European U23 Championships at the beginning of July at venues in the west of Scotland.

Scotland’s participation in the competition was negotiated by national coach Peter Drinnen, in the wake of friendly matches last season against Durham and Lancashire.

Drinnen has always believed there was a major gap in the promotional ladder for Scottish players trying to make the leap from club to country.

"It is one of the most significant developments for Scottish cricket in the past five years," he said.

"It will give youngsters aspiring to represent their country at the highest level an unrivalled chance to raise their standards and show their skills in longer games, in advance of winning their full caps."