POSITIVE Pete Steindl last night refused to concede defeat to the weather after the first day of his side’s Intercontinental Cup clash with Canada was washed-out.

Not a ball was bowled at a sodden Bothwell Castle Policies as Scotland’s hopes of claiming a full 20-point haul received a severe setback.

Some weather forecasts suggest no play will be possible throughout the entire four-day encounter.

A complete wipe-out would see the sides awarded ten points apiece whereas competition rules mean the teams could get as few as three points if the match ends in a rain-hit draw.

However, defiant Steindl last night refused to contemplate the worst-case scenario.

The Scotland coach said: “We’ve talked about the weather and the importance of not letting it become a frustration.

“Of course, all the guys want to do is get out there and play some cricket but we can’t control the rain.

“The important thing for us it to take something out of each day and today we’ve had a good net and the guys are going back to the hotel for a light fitness session.

“We have to stay fresh mentally and be ready to play when the weather allows.”

Under I-Cup regulations teams are awarded six points for a first innings lead with a further fourteen available for outright victory.

In matches resulting in a draw where more than ten hours are lost to interruptions the teams pick up seven points each plus any first innings points.

If less than ten hours are lost and the match is drawn, the allocation of points is reduced to just three apiece plus first innings points.

However, if a match fails to get underway tens points are awarded to both sides.

Steindl added: “We’re banishing thoughts like that because we have to stay focused on playing.

“It would be dangerous to start thinking about things we can’t control.”

The Scots have already suffered at the hands of the weather in previous I-Cup campaigns.

In 2007 their drawn match against UAE at Ayr lasted for just 48 overs and both sides had to settle for three points under the regulations in force at the time.

A year later no play was possible in the Titwood clash with Kenya and the teams were awarded ten points each.

Scotland are currently third in the eight-team I-Cup table behind Ireland and Afghanistan who meet next week.