ARBROATH youngster Ross McLean is being groomed as a Saltires star of the future after being awarded a scholarship to Australia.

The Scotland U19 all-rounder last night flew to Adelaide for a three-month stint at the elite Darren Lehmann Academy.

He will join full cap Ewan Chalmers after national bosses selected the pair from a shortlist of hopefuls for the annual Terry Racionzer Scholarships.

McLean starred as the Scots U19s win last year’s World Cup qualifying tournament and will be a key figure in the global event in Australia in August.

He also helped Arbroath secure second place in the SNCL – the club’s highest-ever finish.

McLean’s club mate Calvin Burnett attended the Lehmann Academy last year and made his Saltires debut within two months of returning.

Andy Tennant, Cricket Scotland’s head of performance, declared: “Ross is one of our brightest young prospects and deserves the chance to work on his game over the next three months.

“Both Ross and Ewan will undoubtedly benefit from training and playing with high quality young professional cricketers in an excellent environment.”

Watsonians batsman Chalmers, 22, is desperate to win back his place in the Saltires set-up after a frustrating 2011 season.

He scored his maiden international century against MCC at Lord’s at the start of the summer but lost his place in the team soon after.

McLean and Chalmers will join several English county prospects at the Academy including Will Beer of Sussex and Leicestershire’s Greg Smith.

Donated by former Scotland and Sussex star Terry Racionzer, the scholarships are designed to accelerate the development of young players with international potential.

Tennant added: “Without Terry’s support these overseas placements would not happen and they are a vital part of the ongoing development of our best young players.”