AMBITIOUS Aberdeenshire are sending three of their rising stars to play in one of South Africa’s top leagues.

Graeme Tomlinson, who has already broken into the Caley Highlanders side, and fellow batsmen Kenny Reid and Callum Martin will be based in Paarl for ten weeks.

They will play for different clubs in the Boland League where Dons player-coach Neil MacRae spent four seasons more than a decade ago.

MacRae said: “The guys will gain invaluable experience of playing in foreign conditions - I know how much I benefited as a younger player.

“When you look at the top players in the Saltires set-up almost all of them have spent time abroad as part of their development but if you’re not in that elite group the opportunities are limited.”

The trio fly to South Africa today and will return in time to boost ‘Shire’s bid to lift the inaugural Cricket Scotland Eastern Premier Division title.

MacRae, who has also coached Caley Highlanders to back-to-back Regional titles, added: “As far as I’m aware we’re the first club to do something like this and it should be a win-win situation.

“The three guys will come back better players and Aberdeenshire will reap the reward when the new season starts.

“There could also be a beneficial knock-on effect for the Highlanders because I expect Kenny and Callum to be knocking on the door to join Tommo in the regional team.”