Scotland cricket stars Matt Cross, Calum McLeod and head coach Shane Burger were at the University of Aberdeen ahead of this weekend's first One Day International against Sri Lanka.
The University of Aberdeen are official partners of the two matches against the South Asian country after it announced a new initiative to allow Sri Lankan students to study medicine with the University.
The players met and offered some coaching tips to members of the newly formed University women’s cricket team and members of the men’s team.
Cricket Scotland are exploring ways to work more closely with the University’s cricket teams in the future.
Scotland will take on the South Asian country as part of the 2019 summer internationals on May 18 and 21 in Edinburgh.
The new Sri Lanka Medical Pathway will see Sri Lankan students spend three years studying in Scotland and the final clinical years working in hospitals in Sri Lanka, offering them a unique opportunity to gain experience working in two healthcare systems.
The University of Aberdeen’s medical programme was ranked the best in Scotland and fourth in the UK in the Guardian University League Tables 2019.
The University last year appointed a Head of Cricket, Daniel Sutton, who arrived in Scotland following his previous role as Head Coach of Cricket Argentina. Daniel has taken on the role of development officer for the City of Aberdeen as part of a partnership with the University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon College and Cricket Scotland. Daniel is also Head Coach of the Scottish Universities Cricket Team.
Since his appointment, Daniel has implemented a performance plan for both 1st and 2nd team players and participation numbers have also increased over the 18-month period. He has also established the University’s first women’s cricket team, who now play competitive fixtures all over Scotland.
Cricket Scotland Head Coach Shaun Burger said: “It was great to meet and knock the ball about with some of the University of Aberdeen cricket players today. With a new women’s team now under way it is clear to see the sport is continuing to grow in popularity in this part of the country.
“We’re delighted to be welcoming the University of Aberdeen as partners with this One Day International series against Sri Lanka and we look forward to working more closely with them going forward.”
University of Aberdeen Head of Cricket, Daniel Sutton added: “We’re so grateful to the players and Shane for coming up and putting some of the players through their paces today. This has been a fantastic opportunity for them to receive tips from the best players in the country.
“Cricket Scotland’s One Day Internationals against Sri Lanka presented an opportune chance for the University to promote our new Sri Lankan Medical Pathway and has also allowed us to highlight the progress we are making with our own cricket team.”