IRELAND'S captain, Just in Benson of Malahide, has cried off the team to meet Scotland in the annual three day international which starts at Linlithgow next Saturday. In Benson's absence the captaincy reverts to YMCA's Alan Lewis. Andrew Patterson (Cliftonville) has been promoted to the team proper, and John Byrne of Leinster is the new 12th man.

Yesterday's official announcement said that Benson's dropping out was due to a knee injury sustained during practice which would prevent him playing in a three day game". Whether or not the injury will stop him playing for his club in the one day River House League match against Clontarf at Malahide next Saturday is not clear.

Spinners Jim Govan and Andy Tennant have both been included in Scotland's team. Both are in the running for places in their national squad for the World Cup qualifying tournament in Malaysia next spring.

Team manager Michael Halliday takes over the captaincy of the Ireland Development side for today's friendly against the Free Foresters at Rathmines.