Scotland recruit six new players under new rules

An underdressed spectator fancies a bowl in Melbourne (REUTERS)

Scotland could finally shake off years of cricketing hurt after the ICC changed the rules to allow six new players to be picked for the country.

County cricketers Richard Coughtrie, Matt Machan, David Murphy, Rob Taylor and Iain Wardlaw, as well as the South African-born former Warwickshire all-rounder Neil Carter, can now play for Scotland after being "deemed national" through their parentage and heritage.

Previously, players either had to have been born in Scotland or complete a lengthy qualification period to play for them.

"It's great news because it means we can increase our player pool with people we believe are bona fide Scots," said Roddy Smith, the chief executive of Cricket Scotland. "These players haven't just come out of the woodwork, these are guys who deem themselves Scottish."

In Melbourne, a century from Phil Hughes on his one-day international debut, and some terrific fielding, helped Australia to a 107-run win against Sri Lanka.

Hughes, who hit 112 from 129 deliveries, became the first Australian to notch a hundred on debut in the one-day game as the home side posted 305 for 5.

Despite losing two early wickets, Sri Lanka were in the game at 111 for 3 after 25 overs, with Tillakaratne Dilshan, who made 51, and Dinesh Chandimal, the team's top scorer with 73, looking comfortable at the crease. However, a period of madness in which Australia completed three run-outs in less than five overs effectively ended the contest.

The pacemen Clint McKay, with figures of 4 for 33, and Mitchell Johnson, mopped up the tail as Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for 198, giving Australia a 1-0 lead after the opener in the five-match series.

One fan tried to emulate McKay's performance by running on in his underpants and bowling a tennis ball during the Sri Lanka innings. He didn't take a wicket, and was pinned down by security personnel before being carried off the pitch.