Scotland will be among the first to use Dubai's new state-of-the-art academy when it opens late next year, according to a report in today’s Herald:

Roddy Smith, chief executive of Cricket Scotland, has revealed that the Scots will complete their preparations at the new academy which includes a 25,000-seater stadium and indoor arenas.

Smith said: "The stadium is well on the way to completion and we're told the entire cricket academy will be ready to open late next year.

"That will tie in very nicely with our preparations for the World Cup qualifiers. I'd imagine we'd go out there for a few weeks either in late 2008 or early 2009 to prepare."