Ryan: We Can Start With A Win

Mar 30 2008

SCOTLAND cricket skipper Ryan Watson says ring rusty Saltires must work harder than ever to give new coach Pete Steindl a winning start.

The Scots face a huge test in Namibia this week, knowing they must quickly shake off their winter hibernation.

Saltires must win their Inter-Continental Cup clash, which starts on Friday in the African nation, to have any chance of reaching November's final.

But Watson, whose side are stranded in fifth place, knows Scotland are going to have to battle to snatch a result in their first outing of 2008.

He said: "It's going to be particularly tough.

"Namibia weren't that competitive in Aberdeen last time we met but that won't be the case this time.

"They're in the middle of their season. We're out of season and stuck indoors.

"The main thing is we're getting eight days' training.

"Hopefully the weather is kinder to us to allow us to get out there.

"And then we just want to get the right result. A win is what we need to stay in the Inter-Continental Cup.

"But if we play well then it's another box ticked on the road to 2009 and the World Cup qualifiers."