Cricket: Budding youths bid to blossom

THE baton has now been passed onwards. Only four of the Scotland team who went to the 2007 Cricket World Cup remain in the Saltires squad for today's opening tie in the Clydesdale Bank Pro40. The team now belongs to the next generation.

"We feel we need to step forward and start performing," says 23-year-old Richie Berrington, "no matter what age any of us is." With two years until the next opportunity to reach a major global tournament, who can blame the selectors for rolling the dice?

There will be growing pains, inevitably. The 13-man squad who has headed south to meet Leicestershire this afternoon in front of the Sky Sports cameras includes two potential debutants and a handful of untested hopefuls. Among them is 17-year-old Freddie Coleman, a prodigious run-maker from Penicuik who will probably get an opportunity during the course of the summer to demonstrate just why he has already been commandeered by Warwickshire's Academy. York-based Neil Laidlaw will get a chance, at 22, to fill the pace bowling void left when Dewald Nel departed for Kent.

Add to that mix the unproven trio of Omer Hussain, Matt Parker and Marc Petrie, and there is an overt sense of experimentation. "There are going to be times when the consistency is not quite there," admits Scotland coach Pete Steindl. "When you have an experienced team, you always expect to have more consistency. As it stands, there is youth there and an exciting bunch of cricketers. And we're hoping that they go out there and put in a strong performance."

Critics would argue that the makeover should have been accelerated before now. The team's dismal failure at February's World Twenty20 qualifiers in Dubai only strengthened the case for a ruthless cull. Despite being retained on summer contracts, Qasim Sheikh and Simon Smith have been stood down indefinitely along with Jan Stander and Fraser Watts. While Nav Poonia, now attempting to re-ignite his career in the Birmingham League following his release from Warwickshire, must prove his worth.

Coleman, a talented sporting all-rounder, reinforced his CV with a knock of 103 for the Scotland Under-19 side against an experienced Greenock attack last year. Observers have praised his technique and his movement at the crease. "Ultimately, and most importantly," Steindl declares, "he wants to play cricket and he's shown a hunger and character. That's why he's been given the opportunity."

So too Petrie, another graduate of the National Academy who has ousted Simon Smith as wicket-keeper. Having come through the toughest of baptisms, against Australia last summer, the 20-year-old is included for that one priceless asset that his rival for the gloves has lacked. "Marc can be devastating with the bat," Steindl acknowledges. "He hits the ball hard and he hits it in unusual areas. If he can back himself and believes he's earned this spot, he'll do well."

With Hussain eager to prove that, at 25, he can make the leap, there is a vein of hunger running through the line-up that can only pump up a side that too often has appeared to lack heart. Gavin Hamilton takes his mentoring responsibilities seriously and will be on hand to cajole, while deputy Gordon Drummond carries the respect that will surely see him succeed his colleague in due course.

Even with Australian batsman George Bailey fortifying Scotland's line-up in the new 40-over competition, any victories would be a bonus. Development is the priority.