Cricket: City may lose England clash

Cricket Scotland is today facing up to the possibility of having to re-allocate a prestige clash with England away from its traditional venue at the Grange in Edinburgh.

Despite the fact there is still more than a month until the scheduled August 12 encounter difficulties arise not only due to the playing surface being under several feet of water in places.

Euan McIntyre, Cricket Scotland operations manager, says: “Even if the actual playing surface recovers it would leave the problem of trying to erect the temporary stands and other paraphernalia we would need for the game. A lot of that stuff is earmarked to be located where the water is at its deepest and the surface may be struggling to cope. With no effective drying weather on the horizon the issue will need to be addressed sooner rather than later and some decisions may have to be made.”

Concerns arise as two one-day internationals with Canada, crucial to Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for the 2015 World Cup, have had to be switched from the Grange to Ayr.

The first of these matches was due to take place today but it is now hoped the teams’ will meet tomorrow with the second encounter set for Wednesday.