Saltires to play Dutch three times

SALTIRES chiefs have lined up a T20 triple-header against Peter Drinnen's Dutch.

The matches at Aberdeen's Mannofield ground will launch Scotland's preparations for next year's World Cup qualifying tournament in Dubai.

And officials have promised a lot more T20 fixtures during next season's international and domestic schedule.

Saltires coach Pete Steindl declared: "Twenty20 will be a big priority over the next year because we are determined to reach the World Cup.

"Having three games in a short space of time against Holland will allow us to develop strategies and hopefully adopt a more positive approach.

"By then we will have played a number of regional T20 games, when players will get the chance to show they have the skills to specialise in the short game.

"When you look at how much T20 we've played in the last couple of years it is nowhere near enough and we want to put that right."

Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed that Scotland will launch a new Intercontinental Cup campaign - also against the Dutch at Mannofield.

The Scots will bid to go one better than last year when they lost in the final to Afghanistan. The four-day I-Cup clash takes place from 21-24 June.