Scotland secure sponsorship boost

Scotland have signed a five-figure sponsorship deal with Citylets, an Edinburgh property-advertising firm, for the naming rights to The Grange ground in Edinburgh. It is an important year for Scottish cricket, as they try to qualify for the 2007 World Cup in West Indies through the ICC Trophy in Ireland during July.

It is their last season of National League cricket, an experiment that has been a reasonable success, with the Saltires securing six victories against first-class counties in the last two seasons. Scotland will continue to take part in county cricket, moving to play in the new format of the C&G Trophy in 2006.

Craig Wright, the captain, said: "We are delighted that Citylets have once again agreed to support Cricket Scotland in such a vital year." They have already provided backing, sponsoring trial games during the 2004 season. Last week, Scotland confirmed the Pakistani allrounder Yasir Arafat as their overseas player for the coming season.