Scotland's opening game is against the auld enemy on Sunday and they will be keen to reverse their recent defeat by just two runs sustained in their final Triple Crown game in Glasgow. They travelled to Holland yesterday with only one fitness doubt, Craig Wright, who wrenched his back in this week's three-day game against Bangladesh.

However, Asim Butt did not make the trip. He is suffering from shin splint trouble and with a series coming up against Australia A, the selectors have decided to rest him, especially in view of the hard artificial surfaces on which they will play this week.

Although they have lost Butt, they will have James Brinkley back in action. The former Worcestershire paceman has been released by Essex, for whom he now plays, and he has recovered from a slight thigh strain sustained during the Triple Crown tournament.

Brinkley's presence has added a real edge to the Scottish attack which is further supplemented by the return of off-spinner Nick Dyer, unavailable recently because of split webbing on his bowling hand.

Dyer was Scotland's outstanding bowler during the B&H campaign earlier in the season, producing several extremely economic spells.

The Scots are in buoyant mood following their comprehensive defeat of Bangladesh in the Cairn Trophy and a convincing performance against them in the three-day 'mini-Test' against them this week, and must be among the favourites to win in Europe. They play Holland on Tuesday, Denmark on Wednesday and Ireland on Thursday.