Hamilton's UAE target

Scotland's captain promises he will still be at the helm when qualifying for the next event takes place in the UAE in October.

Powered by automated translation

LONDON // Scotland's captain, Gavin Hamilton, refused to be cowed by his side's shattering experience at the World Twenty20, and promised he would still be at the helm when qualifying for the next event takes place in the UAE in October. The veteran batsman, who played one Test for England before re-qualifying for Scotland, was handed the captaincy reins after their failure to qualify for the 50-over version of the World Cup.

His ascension has been far from smooth. Before he had even taken charge of his first official match, Scotland's senior pace-bowler, John Blain, walked out following a bitter row with the captain. Hamilton's side then crashed out of the tournament via a huge defeat to South Africa. As ruthless as the world's No1 side were, the Scots hastened their own downfall with an abysmal display in the field, with Hamilton the main miscreant, shelling two catches.

Scotland are one of six teams, which also includes the hosts UAE, who will be looking to qualify for next April's World Twenty20 in the West Indies, via the qualifying tournament in the Emirates in October. He said: "This experience has been priceless, and we don't want to miss out. I have no doubt we are going to be a far better cricket team, and far better people, come October. "I've got a direction I think we should be going in, and that will certainly be over no less than two years, pending the decision by Cricket Scotland."

pradley@thenational.ae