Watts offers backing as captain Watson returns

FRASER WATTS today pledged loyalty to returning skipper Ryan Watson as the Scottish Saltires prepared to put their new-found resurgence to the test against defending champions Durham Dynamos at citylets Grange tomorrow in the Friends Provident Trophy.

While Watson missed the road trip to Derbyshire and Lancashire due to the birth of his first child, the Forfarshire all-rounder will be back at the helm tomorrow.

And Watts, whose temporary charge helped bring about an outstanding win over Lancashire on Monday, feels the natural order is restored.

"It was nice to be asked to captain the Saltires but I'll be equally happy supporting Ryan. There is no shortage of experienced players including Gavin Hamilton, John Blain and Colin Smith around but, if I'm asked for any advice, I'll gladly pass it on.

"Ryan's the regular leader and I'm content to be a lieutenant."

While not underestimating the threat from a Durham side who will be smarting after three successive one-day defeats following a successful start against Yorkshire Carnegie, Watts feels the Saltires now have some momentum, which they didn't have when they lost against Lancashire in Edinburgh a fortnight ago.

"Hopefully we can take heart from beating Lancashire and it was the boost we needed. The next stage would be to win at home, but it doesn't get much tougher than facing the team who won the tournament last year."

At least Saltires have some idea of what to expect since fellow Scot Kyle Coetzer top scored for Durham in their last one-day match.

"In many respects it is good to see Kyle making a name for himself at Durham but it would be wrong to focus too much on one individual with so many potential threats.

Of course, we know quite a bit about what Kyle can do from the times he has played for Scotland but the other side of that coin is that he will know quite a bit about most of us as well!"

Among those singled out by Watts is Neil McKenzie. And, if the man who, in Bangladesh last March, set a world record opening partnership of 415 with Graeme Smith, returns in time from a family wedding in his native South Africa, then undoubtedly Saltires' task will be made all the harder.

Meanwhile, Watts is putting faith in his side's improved fielding techniques.

The Carlton batsman continued: "We worked hard at a training camp in Namibia over the winter in cutting down on runs conceded and undoubtedly it was a factor when we came through off the last ball after being restricted to 155 at Lancashire on Monday."

Watts, who will be making his 128th appearance for Scotland tomorrow, is convinced the crowd that turns out for tomorrow's match will be treated to a better showing than the one produced in the Capital two weeks ago.

He added: "One thing I'm certain of is that tomorrow's crowd, which will hopefully be boosted by free admission for accompanied children, will see a big improvement in the field and, who knows what might happen if we can build on that two-run win at Old Trafford."

Meanwhile, the Carlton club have paid tribute to Watt's captaincy honour, saying: " Our very own Fraser Watts has already had a fine international career.

"He's been capped 127 times, he's smashed Makhaya Ntini for 6 in the World Cup and he top scored for Scotland in the Twenty20 World Cup."

Scottish Saltires squad: Ryan Watson (Forfarshire) (c), Dewald Nel, Craig Wright (both Greenock), John Blain (Rotherham), Ed Cowan (Uddingston), Gordon Drummond (Watsonians), Gordon Goudie (West of Scotland), Gavin Hamilton (East Brierly), Neil McCallum (Grange), Glenn Rogers (Stenhousemuir), Colin Smith (Aberdeenshire), Fraser Watts (Carlton).