HE’S been ostracised. Demonised. Excommunicated by Scotland’s cricketing authorities in much the same way that Steven Fletcher has been banished by our football hierarchy.

Yet is it not high time now that some diplomatic skills were invoked at the top level, and that John Blain – who disagreed vehemently with skipper Gavin Hamilton, and controversially walked out of the Scotland squad on the eve of the 2009 ICC World T20, never to return – should be reinstated to the fold?

Ex-Penicuik prodigy Blain, ever refreshingly direct and outspoken was Scotland’s youngest capped cricketer in 106 years when he made his debut against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in the Benson & Hedges Cup back in April 1996.

At 32 he is still very much in his prime and he’s just ended a club season at West of Scotland where he finished as the highest wicket-taker in either Eastern or Western Premier 
Division.

The former Northants and Yorkshire seamer also enhanced his burgeoning reputation as a motivated, talented, technically gifted coach, whose mentoring contributed much to the Hamilton Crescent outfit’s recent resurgence.

Blain has a wealth of playing and coaching experience behind him, including 117 Scotland caps and over a decade in the English Counties scene.

He still has much to offer Scottish cricket, not least to our emerging youngsters.

He should be restored forthwith. His country surely needs him.