TIMING OF REVIEW WAS ‘NO EXCUSE FOR DEFEAT’

MATT CROSS admitted the publication of a damning report into Cricket Scotland just two days before a Scotland match ‘wasn’t ideal’ but refused to use it as an excuse for defeat. Shane Burger’s side were beaten by New Zealand by 68 runs in the opening encounter of the two-game Twenty20 series that concludes at The Grange today. Cross (below) revealed the players had been addressed by Cricket Scotland interim chief executive Gordon Arthur in the dressing room on Wednesday morning but insisted off-field distractions played no part in the subsequent loss. ‘The timing of the review wasn’t ideal,’ the wicketkeeper added. ‘It’s made the week a lot tougher and feel a lot longer. But the report is important in moving the game forward in Scotland. ‘We had a chat with Gordon Arthur about it before the game and the SCA (Scottish Cricketers Association) put out a statement from the players condemning what’s happened in the past. ‘I’ve had people who aren’t cricket fans asking what’s been going on and as players we’re still trying to digest it and what it means across the board. But what’s been going on in the background doesn’t excuse the result. I’d understand but would be disappointed if guys felt it had affected our performance. It certainly wasn’t in my head when I was out there. We know we’ve got to do better going into this second game.’ Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh, the two former players whose revelations paved the way for the investigation that led in turn to the report, believe the current squad have not done enough to support their stance. Cross, though, insisted the Scotland dressing room has always been an inclusive one and believes Asian team-mates Hamza Tahir and Safyaan Sharif feel likewise. ‘As players, what we can do is support the review and get behind it,’ he added. ‘We’re waiting on guidance from Cricket Scotland on what we can do specifically to help. ‘But I’d be disappointed if anyone felt our dressing room wasn’t an inclusive place. We’ve always been open as a group of players and there’s been a good environment. ‘Saf and Hamza have been a big part of our squad for a while and I’d like to think they feel like we’ve got their backs. It’s been a tough time for them too and it’s about trying to support them the best we can.’