DURHAM could be without a fixture on the first day of cricket's National League programme following a warning by Scotland that they might withdraw from the competition.

The Scots are due to make their debut in division two of the 45-overs-a-side competition at the Riverside on Sunday, May 4, with the return fixture at The Grange, Edinburgh, on July 7.

Scotland apparently face potential losses of £70,000 from playing in a competition which will take them as far as Sussex and Hampshire.

Chief executive Gwynne Jones said: "The situation is very precarious. This should be a great opportunity for Scottish cricket, but you can't go into something where you're budgeting to make a loss."

Scotland had already run into a funding crisis before learning that they would also be hit by a shortfall in income from the World Cup in South Africa.

The International Cricket Council have cancelled World Cup qualifying tournaments due to be launched in Kenya in September as part of an extended development programme.

Scotland were one of six countries due to take part in division one of the qualifying series and they have been told that its cancellation will reduce grants paid to them.

Durham chairman Bill Midgley said: "It's the first I have heard of this, but the shortfall from the World Cup is going to cascade through cricket at all levels.

"It is due to be discussed at a meeting of the First Class Forum next Tuesday, when I am expecting a lively debate."

Midgley revealed that while other ground developments ahead of the Riverside's first Test in June are going well, work has not begun on the indoor school.

"We are bogged down in bureaucracy," he said.

"As Sport England are providing the bulk of the money we have to wait for the go-ahead from them. Work could begin in May and hopefully it will be ready for use next winter."

The Durham players yesterday completed three days of pre-season work in the indoor school at Old Trafford.

It was hoped to hold the Player of the Year dinner, held over from last September, in the indoor school at the Riverside this spring, but it will now take place in the members' lounge on April 17.

Read more about Durham here.