COMMITTED Craig Wallace last night claimed he would happily make his First Class debut as a specialist batsman.

Forfarshire wicket-keeper Wallace knows he faces a battle to wrest the gloves from No1 stumper Simon Smith.

However, the in-form youngster believes he can still battle his way into the starting line-up for tomorrow’s (Thu) I-Cup clash with UAE in Sharjah.

Wallace made his Saltires debut last August and has so far only played a handful of limited overs and T20 matches for his country.

However, he recently made two centuries for the Global Cricket School in Pune and said: “It’s good to be vying with Smudger (Smith) for the wicket-keeping position.

“We get on well and, as the senior man and fitness coach, he has helped me a lot – both with technical things and the work ethic you need to have as a keeper.

“To be honest, he is the man in possession and deservedly so. I hope to play but I don’t think I can expect to dislodge Smudger.”

However, he added: “My batting has been good both in India and during a spell I had in Australia before that.

“It could be an advantage that I have been playing and hitting balls during the winter months while most of the guys have been stuck indoors at home.

“We’ll see what the selectors think but maybe I can get a place as a batsman.”

Whether or not Wallace makes the starting eleven for the four-day match, he is certain to play a major part when the Saltires return to the Emirates next month.

Following a two-week training camp in Sri Lanka they meet the UAE again in two 50-over matches before going straight into the T20 World Cup qualifying tournament.

Wallace said: “Things are happening really fast for me and I’m loving it.

“We know the qualifiers are going to be really tough but the prospect of playing in a World Cup later this year is amazing.”

The Scots yesterday continued their preparations for the third game of the current I-Cup campaign.

They have had to settle for draws against Holland and Namibia but a victory would propel them from sixth to second in the eight-team table.