GREENOCK cricket stars past and present are representing Inverclyde with pride as they serve with the Scotland under-19 team on World Cup duty in Dubai.

Current Glenpark star Alex Baum is a key member of the squad and has been receiving expert advice from former Greenock favourite, Australian Tony Judd, who’s part of the national team’s coaching set-up.

They are flying the flag for the district along with the team’s head coach and ex-Greenock skipper Craig Wright.

Meanwhile, another ex-captain of the local side, Kenny Godsman, is also in the United Arab Emirates cheering Alex and his team-mates on in his role as a Cricket Scotland board director.

The under-19s got off to a flying start, beating Papua New Guinea by six wickets in their opening match on Saturday.

But despite a spirited performance in their second group fixture against reigning under-19 champions India yesterday, the Scots suffered a five-wicket defeat.

They play Pakistan tomorrow in their final group match.

Of yesterday’s game, coach Craig Wright said: “After a reasonable start with the bat we were given a stern examination by some high class spin on an extremely helpful surface.

“The easy thing would have been to lie down defending such a low total, but the lads showed tremendous spirit with the ball and in the field to give India a real scare at 22/5.

“As always, with games like these there is a great deal of learning which takes place, in particular the need for us to be clearer and more decisive with our execution of options against spin.

“We will get another opportunity against Pakistan to show improvement in that area.”