YORK Cricket Club fast bowler Neil Laidlaw has sensationally been called up to the Scotland squad for their 40-over games against three English counties.

The 22-year-old, who is in his third season at Clifton Park, has been named in a 14-man party to play Leicestershire, Kent and Nottinghamshire later this month.

Recommended to the Saltires by former Scotland World Cup coach, now York chief, Jim Love, the Edinburgh-born cricketer – who was playing for Thirsk three years ago – seems almost certain to play at some stage in the opening batch of matches.

Laidlaw’s first match could be against Leicestershire in a live TV game at Grace Road on May 16, with Kent and Nottinghamshire, at The Grange in Edinburgh, staged on May 22 and 23.

“I am a proud Scotsman at heart and it is unbelievable,” said Laidlaw of his call-up. “When they phoned me it was quite a big shock to the system.”

York secretary Nick Kay added: “This is fantastic news for Neil and the club. This is proper first class cricket and he has worked hard over the two years he has been at York.”