OFFICIALS at one of Scotland’s top cricket clubs believe their ground was deliberately targeted by a spade-wielding vandal on the eve of their biggest match of the year.

The expertly-prepared surface at Drumpellier’s Langloan HQ was wrecked in the early hours of the morning.

And as police launched a probe, they were forced to cancel their Scottish Cup quarter final clash with Grange from Edinburgh.

The yob had dug holes in the wicket that had been earmarked for the crucial tie, which was due to be staged yesterday at the venue in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.

Club president Stevie Allison said: “It is all very dispiriting and disheartening.

“We have CCTV rigged up to cover the pavilion and bar building and it did pick up the images of a lone person out on the pitch at about 12.30am.

“This individual pushed the rain covers off the wicket and then systematically gouged large holes in it with a spade or shovel.

“We think it could have been a deliberate act of sabotage because of where the damage was done.

“The fact that the turf was ripped up on the exact spots where bowlers would land the ball at each end, suggests the perpetrator knows about the technicalities of cricket.

“If it had been a non-cricket type of person, the spade would have been used much more indiscriminately.

“In addition, this batting strip is our hardest-packed part of the whole ground, so if it was someone just wanting to cause damage for sheer badness, they would have gone to a softer area.”

Mr Allison added: “A lot of people put in a great deal of work to keep the ground in shape, so this is a real kick in the teeth for them.

“We are handing over the video footage to the police, but as it was dark I don’t expect it to be hugely helpful.”

Drumpellier are hoping to repair the turf in time to play the fixture next weekend at the ground, which has played host to leading international teams.