Hamilton gets skipper's role

Gavin Hamilton has been appointed Scotland captain following the resignation of Ryan Watson.

Watson stepped down after two years as skipper on Tuesday following the country's shock failure to qualify for the next World Cup.

Hamilton, 34, is Scotland's most experienced cricketer, having played in the 1999 and 2007 World Cups, as well as playing one Test for England 10 years ago.

He landed the role ahead of favourite Fraser Watts, who will join Gordon Drummond in deputising for the former Yorkshire batsman.

It is thought the selectors were looking for an experienced head to steady the ship on a short-term basis.

Hamilton, who has played 95 first-class games and 31 one-day internationals, said: "It is a great honour to be asked to captain Scotland and it is a challenge I am looking forward to enormously.

"We are in a rebuilding phase and (head coach) Peter Steindl and I know we have to give a number of players international experience over the next couple of years.

"However, we have a fantastic and important summer of cricket ahead and it is vital we put in some good performances in the next few weeks.

"I am delighted that, in Gordon and Fraser, we have a couple of people who can grow into the captaincy role and I am excited about working with them to move our team forward."