Flowering of Scotland

They may have gone for two little known Australians as their overseas players rather than established international stars as Ireland have done, but Scotland's gamble on signing Corey Richards and Ian Moran is paying off with a second successive win in the C&G Trophy.

Richards made 73 and Moran took five for 28 as Scotland beat Northamptonshire to add another first-class scalp to go with their win over Worcestershire earlier in the month. But could the inclusion of the pair actually harm Scotland's chances in the World Cup? Obviously neither will be able to play in the West Indies and by taking the place of two Scotsmen who would be in the international side, Richards and Moran could be doing more harm than good.

Take Richards´s 88 and 73 away from the last two games, and Moran´s six wickets and 53 runs for once out, and Scotland´s resources look bare. Playing two Scots in their place would make it less likely that they would win any games against the counties but it would give a full XI vital practice against good opposition. Then again, perhaps the good publicity from winning these games will help to ingnite passion in the next generation of Scotland players.

Comments

[A cricket watcher]

Are you really suggesting that it is harmful for Scotland that Dougie Brown is playing for Warwickshire and perhaps should not be allowed to come in and replace Moran for the World Cup?