Scots relaxed over Bradburn Black Caps link
Cannon won’t stand in coach’s way
Cricket Scotland chief executive Malcolm Cannon “would not stop” national team head coach Grant Bradburn if he wants to pursue the vacant New Zealand coaching job.
Former New Zealand allrounder Bradburn has been in charge of Scotland since mid-2014 and led them to a historic win over England last Sunday.
His contract is up for renewal at the end of 2018 and, with Mike Hesson having announced his shock resignation as New Zealand head coach last week, effective from the end of July, many in his homeland feel 52-year-old Bradburn would be an ideal candidate to replace him.
“If Grant is not being talked about for the New Zealand job, he should be,” Cannon told the
“I suspect there aren’t many jobs in the world he would leave Scotland for, but that would be one and we would absolutely recognise that. We would not stop him going for that job.
“Granthasprofessionalised the whole approach Scotland has to the men’s game.”
Bradburn and his squad are currently in the Netherlands for a T20 Tri-series with the hosts and Ireland.
They play their first match against Ireland in Deventer this afternoon, the Irish having already lost twice to the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, first plays second in the Eastern Premier League today as Mazars Grange host Heriot’s. The hosts, who have won seven from seven in the league, have skipper Preston Mommsen back along with top order batsman Nick Farrar.
Forfarshire are third, but after last week’s DLS defeat at RH Corstorphine they know they need to go on a good run. They are on the road to Carlton and, with Scotland men Michael Leask and Craig Wallace in the Netherlands, will be looking for others to step up with the bat.
Ali Evans is with Scotland so Arun Pillai leads Carlton.
RH Corstorphine have madeituptofourthplaceand are on the road to Arbroath.
Aberdeenshire are fifth and travel to Fife to play bottom side Glenrothes, while Stewart’s Melville make the short trip to play Watsonians.
In the Western Premier, West of Scotland skipper Gregg Watson is relishing the visit of leaders Ferguslie.
The Partick side have established themselves in the top half of the table following promotion but face their biggest challenge to date against the Paisley team bidding to bounce back from their first defeat. Watson said: “We’re looking forward to the challenge. You always want to test yourself against the best.”
Ferguslie, beaten by Greenock a week ago, are without Scotland’s latest cap Hamza Tahir but his younger brother Douad is likely to feature .
Prestwick, having joined Ferguslie at the top of the table, aim to step up their title push when they entertain Uddingston.
Clydesdale are again without Scotland star Richie Berrington as they travel to face second-bottom Ayr.
Poloc are bidding for a third consecutive win when they visit Dumfries, while Greenock will bid to leapfrog visitors Stirling.