The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that Scotland would be admitted to the Norwich Union League from the 2003 season on a three-year trial basis.

During the period of the trial, the ECB will not be considering any further applications for admission to the NUL. Scotland's admission to the competition is subject to Scottish Cricket being in a position to commit to participation by 1 September 2002 and to the NUL being confirmed in something akin to its current format when the domestic playing structure debate is concluded in March 2002.

Scotland will join the NUL Division Two in 2003 as part of a ten-team division with all teams playing eighteen matches. Scottish Cricket has indicated that home matches will be played in Edinburgh or Glasgow and they will be submitting a list of home venues by July of next year.

ECB Chief Executive, Tim Lamb said: "I am sure that Scotland's admission will be warmly welcomed by all cricket followers both north and south of the Border. As well as adding a new dimension to the Norwich Union League, this decision will be of great help to Scotland as they seek to gain full ICC One-Day International status."

© ECB