Scotland get cash boost

Scottish cricket has received a financial boost ahead of the World Cup.

Cricket Scotland will receive £336,300 from Sportscotland to help meet the costs of developing the domestic game and funding the national team.

Scottish sports minister Patricia Ferguson said: “The whole country is eagerly anticipating their performance in this year's World Cup.

“I hope that this increased funding package will help support Cricket Scotland's work in securing the future development of the game which will help us to encourage more young people into the sport and increase our chances of competitive excellence.”

Scotland will face Australia, South Africa and Holland in their pool matches at the cricket World Cup in the Caribbean next month.

Their recent achievement in reaching the final of World Cricket League Division One Division One also secured qualification to the Twenty20 World Championship, to be staged in South Africa in September.

Cricket Scotland chief executive Roddy Smith said: “In the three months leading up to the World Cup we have been required to make considerable financial outlays to cover salaries for our international players, but the news of Sportscotland's investment to specifically assist with these costs has been a huge boost.”