Warwickshire well represented in Edinburgh

Scotland take on England for the first time in a One Day International today and it is likely that both sides will have a Warwickshire batsman opening. Ian Bell could well retain his spot at the top of the order, where he played against New Zealand and is likely to be partnered by the returning Matt Prior; recalled in place of Tim Ambrose – another bear.

Navdeep Poonia meanwhile will feature in Scotland’s top order, having been released by Warwickshire for the match and he is determined not to be overawed ahead of the big occasion; “There is a degree of familiarity,” he said. “It is not like playing against a Ricky Ponting, who you could come across only once in your career, we all know what these guys are capable of. The key is to forget who you are playing against and just concentrate on what is in front of you and to be confident in what you can do.”

Warwickshire pace bowler Calum MacLeod meanwhile is unlikely to feature. Although in the squad, he was not used for the recent game against Kenya and they are unlikely to throw him in the deep end against England.
Poonia has been in bullish mood for the past couple of days, speaking to a Scottish newspaper he said; “"English fans will be looking at it, thinking 'we're going to do Scotland over'. There is no doubt that there will be lots of interest around the counties about it.
"For me, this will be the biggest game I've ever played in, bigger even than Australia at the World Cup.
"I know a few of the England players and I'm sure there'll be some chat during the game.
"The Warwickshire lads have had a few words with me about it but this kind of game doesn't come around very often so you have to go out and enjoy it."
There are some similarities in some ways between him and the flamboyant England captain. Neither is afraid to speak their mind, both sport big diamond earstuds, they are both batsmen, they are both tall and they have both stared at me in a disapproving manner. Pietersen at the Oval test last year – well he stared disapprovingly at the general area I was sitting in, and Poonia earlier in the season when I was unlocking my bike at Edgbaston and he was trying to listen to a Keith Piper pep talk.