Watson rejects Scotland contract
forfarshire player unhappy with new deal offered and loses his place in national squad to haq
Published:
Former captain Ryan Watson has quit as one of Scotland’s full-time players after a contract snub.
Forfarshire player Watson became one of the country’s first three professionals a year ago, but suffered a dreadful slump in form which led to him resigning as captain.
Now Scotland’s leading batsman has been dealt a further blow by his Cricket Scotland employers who have announced his place has gone to Clydesdale spinner Majid Haq.
Watson, who will continue to play for the Saltires subject to work commitments, rejected a reduced offer which would have involved playing and coaching responsibilities.
A source close to the squad said: “To say Ryan was upset with what was offered is putting it mildly.
“He gave up a good job to play for Scotland and felt he deserved more. He has a young child and another on the way so he has to put family first. It’s not surprising he turned down the deal.”
Cricket Scotland chief executive Roddy Smith refused to confirm Watson had been offered reduced terms but said: “We can’t match what Ryan can make outwith cricket.
“He was made a contract offer but I would never discuss confidential details.”
Aberdonian seam bowler Gordon Goudie and Dewald Nel have retained their status as full-time players, while Haq becomes the first Scot of Asian descent to earn a full-time professional contract.
Richie Berrington, Ross Lyons, Qasim Shiekh and Simon Smith have been handed six-month contracts, meaning Scotland will have seven full-time players through the peak months of the season.
Grange’s Simon Smith, recovering from a shoulder injury, is the only wicketkeeper in the 18-man squad but there is no place for Dougie Lockhart despite the West of Scotland batsman scoring more runs than any other amateur in last season’s SNCL.
Youngsters Matthew Parker, Marc Petrie, Ewan Chalmers and Ally Evans, who all made their full cap debuts last season, will have to make do with places in one of three new regional squads which will feed into the national team.
Head coach Pete Steindl said: “Our young squad has some major challenges to look forward to next year. These 18 players will form the core of our team with players from the regional and academy squads pushing them hard for places in the team.
“The 2010 season will last for 10 months so there will be opportunities for all the players to push for places in the Scotland team.”
The Scots start their programme with a tour to Kenya in January before heading to Dubai for the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers.
They will participate in the ECB’s new Pro40 competition throughout the summer while a visit from England will be the highlight of the domestic season.
Steindl’s squad will conclude a packed 2010 with an Intercontinental Cup game in October, likely to be against Zimbabwe in Dubai.
SCOTLAND NATIONAL SQUAD (for 2010): G. Hamilton, F. Watts, +Q. Sheikh, R. Watson, K. Coetzer, N. McCallum, +R. Berrington, G. Drummond, N. Poonia, J. Stander, *M. Haq, +R. Lyons, *G. Goudie, *D. Nel, C. MacLeod, G. Rogers, +S. Smith, M. Iqbal.
(* denotes 12-month full-time contract, + denotes six-month contract).
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