Scotland cricket coach Pete Steindl is looking forward to a summer of action on home turf, after two months touring through the winter.

The Scottish Saltires start their Clydesdale Bank 40 campaign this weekend with visits from Surrey on Sunday, then Nottinghamshire on Monday.

The Scots just missed out on a play-off place in the 20/20 world cup qualifiers in Dubai and Steindl hopes his young team can work on their consistency against some top English counties.

He said: “We had a good two months away playing in the UAE and Sri Lanka, It was a lot of hard work but we're back now and looking forward to the season.

“Overall we had some great moment and played some really good cricket but we were inconsistent and that's something we've got to address.

“We’ve made big improvements from when we played 20/20 two years ago.”

The CB40 format sees the teams play each other at 40 over limited matches through the summer. The Saltires will face Durham, Hampshire, Welsh Dragons and Somerset, as well as Surrey and Notts.

Adopted Australian Steindl said that the quality of opposition will help his side, who have an average age of just 24, to develop.

He said: “We want to be competitive and we always go out looking to win game of cricket but at the same time we're looking at this as a chance to rotate and blood a few players and give some of our younger players an experience of playing at the highest level.

“It's a great experience for out players. Our opposition are hardened county professionals who have been playing the game for ten years and they know their games, with a few internationals in there too.”

All-rounder Richie Berrington will play the ties before moving on loan to Leicestershire and Steindl wants to encourage more players to get themselves noticed by the counties.

With two-for-one ticket offer and cheap deals for kids also available for the match at the CityLets Grange, the coach also hopes for a good crowd to come along and watch the action.

Steindl added: “There's a lot of hunger in the team with a lot of players vying for places. We're starting to attract a bit of attention now for our players down south which is a healthy sign and something we're looking to encourage.

“The guys love playing in front of a supportive home crowd and it's a good experience as well for them. It's great opportunity to come along and see some good cricketers on show and watch some good cricket.”

Scottish Saltires: Fraser Watts, Ryan Flannigan, Calum MacLeod, Jean Symes, Josh Davey, Richie Berrington, Preston Mommsen, Craig Wallace, Majid Haq, Matthew Parker, Gordon Drummond, Alasdair Evans, Moneeb Iqbal