Date-stamped : 29 Apr97 - 06:17 Workload costs Scotland By Peter Deeley at Leicester Leics (371-6) bt Scotland (193-6) by 178 runs SCOTLAND came down to English earth with a bump after their success in the ICC Trophy in the Far East as Leicestershire reached a record total in the 50-over version of the competition. The home side passed Warwickshire`s 369 for eight against Minor Counties last season - the first year in which the competition had been reduced in length - in an innings which brought 36 boundaries and eight sixes. Scotland, who qualified for the 1999 World Cup after beating Ireland in Kuala Lumpur, were badly hampered by the loss of eight members of that party who were unable to get any more time off work. The attack was particularly depleted and quick bowler John Blain - who is on Northamptonshire`s books - went for 82 runs off six overs. This may be a "worst ever" in these games but mercifully the record books do not list contenders. Darren Maddy and Iain Sutcliffe went off like a rocket, adding 159 for the first Leicestershire wicket in 25 overs and three other batsmen reached fifty. Faced with an impossible task Scotland sensibly choose to go for batting practice and Bruce Patterson and Iain Philip added 76 for the first wicket in 19 overs. Leicestershire are hoping their new overseas signing, Natal all-rounder Neil Johnson, will join them in time for the next cup game tomorrow. Johnson has been the subject of on-off negotiations because of his prior signing with Northern League club Netherfield to whom the county have had to pay 7,500. Cricket manager Jack Birkenshaw said: "Netherfield have done this before with Eldine Baptiste and they make quite a few quid out of it. They have a good deal because now they have signed Derek Crooks, another South African, and have our money to pay for him. "It is all quite legal of course but I would advise young overseas players to be cautious about these matters." Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)