It was snowing again in Aberdeen on April 7, so there is little doubt that Scotland's cricketers will be crossing their fingers, as they venture into a new season, fearful of any repeat of the incessant rain which devastated the so-called summer last time around.

The winter has hardly been kinder, so pitches will be closer to pudding bowls than possessing such qualities as pace and bounce when the action commences in the Pro Series later this month. Yet, if the elements relent, there are plenty of reasons to be excited by what is the busiest-ever fixture schedule for Scotland's elite performers.

The Scots tackle Pakistan twice and Australia and they have crucial matches against Kenya and Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup and the World Cricket League. A decade after Rahul Dravid joined the Saltires on their entry to what is now the CB 40 competition, the Saltires bow out of the event, which is being revamped for 2014.

At club level, the likes of Carlton, Watsonians, West of Scotland and Dumfries will be determined to build on recent success, while the likes of Greenock and Aberdeenshire will be striving to transform their fortunes. It promises, if the heavens permit sufficient dry weather or, praise be, sunshine, to develop into an absorbing summer.

Here, in the first of an exclusive three-part series, we reveal what some of the Scotland's leading players, coaches and officials are hoping for in the new campaign.


CRAIG WRIGHT (FORMER SCOTLAND AND SALTIRES CAPTAIN AND CURRENT UNDER-19 SCOTTISH COACH).

"I suppose that the No 1 priority this season is to see the U19's qualify for another U-19 World Cup, although the farcical decision by the ICC to change the qualification process to just one qualifier per region, rather than having a global qualifying tournament, makes that a cut-throat assignment. It also ensures that there is no chance that all the best Associate will qualify for the World Cup.

"I would also like to see some more of our many talented home-grown young players challenging for places in the senior team, and ultimately see the senior team qualify for both the T20 and 50-over World Cups.

"On the domestic front, I hope that Watsonians can follow up our successful season in 2012 to be challenging again for domestic honours."

RICKY BAWA (DIRECTOR OF CRICKET AT UDDINGSTON).

"This season, and for the foreseeable future, Uddingston are focusing on Whole Club development with a 10-year plan to keep the club at the top of Scottish cricket. This policy means that we hope to have greater strength in depth across all senior and junior teams. With the likes of Calum Macleod and Gavin Main missing games, due to representative fixtures, there will be more opportunity for Uddingston's youngsters to step up to the plate and gain valuable experience.

"At first team level, we are hopeful that we will be challenging for trophies again this season, despite the loss of our talisman Paul Hoffmann, who has returned to Australia. Hoffy is irreplaceable, both on and off the field, so it will be difficult.

"However, the return of Sammy Zia (who was the Scottish Cup Final man of the match in 2010), following his recovery from shoulder surgery, will be key if we are to be successful. Sammy's aggressive style of batting as well as being a quality off-spinner saw him play for UAE before moving permanently to Glasgow. He surprised many people in 2010 with his immense talent and, together with an experienced core of players at captain Bryan Clarke's disposal, Uddingston will be a club to watch in 2013."

QASIM SHEIKH (SCOTLAND INTERNATIONALIST, WHO HAS SIGNED UP WITH KELBURNE, AFTER PLAYING IN ENGLAND RECENTLY).

"I have managed a few nets already with Majid , I am keen to hit the ground running, and I am still hungry to show what I can do for Scottish cricket. At 28, I actually feel as if I am approaching my peak, I know my strengths now, and my main priority is to go out and score big runs, consistent runs, for Kelburne and see what happens from there.

"I still want to play for Scotland, and I haven't given up on that ambition, but I know it will be difficult under the present management. [Sheikh launched a stinging attack on the Scottish national coach, Peter Steindl, last year]. Yet, nobody is going to be able to say from now on that I am out of sight, out of mind. I am back in Scotland, I know I have to do my talking with the bat, and I realise that there is competition for places. But I want to play four-day cricket again for my country, I have demonstrated my ability in the past, and I would hope that I can force my way back into contention in the future.

"I also aim to show I can perform well in all forms of the game. I have been labelled as somebody who can't play limited-overs or Twenty20 cricket, but I think that is wrong. The bottom line is that I don't want to rule myself out of any form of the sport, so I feel really motivated to demonstrate my talent and try to do it on a regular basis."

KENNY REID (ABERDEENSHIRE BATSMAN, WHO REPORTED ON HIS WINTER'S TRIP DOWN UNDER FOR CRICKETEUROPE).

"I am hoping for a prosperous season, both personally and for all the lads at Aberdeenshire, especially after the way our fixtures were so badly disrupted in 2012. I hope that the time I spent away in Australia can be the springboard for a summer, which is full of runs, and that these can be the basis for success for my club and hopefully allow me to play a role for the [Pro Series side] Highlanders in the future.
"I am excited, after returning from Australia, to see a good buzz around the club [at Mannofield] and, with the return of some old faces and the addition of some new ones, I am optimistic that we can have a successful season in all competitions."