By Mike Burnett

Scotland are hoping to tempt Dravid back next season

The International Cricket Council has decided to add two extra teams for the 2007 tournament in the Caribbean.

And Wright believes it will give Scotland a great chance of qualifying and make up for missing this year's competition.

"It should give us a bit of extra leeway," he told this website.

"We should've qualified last time, but this time we'll have a better chance."

It's been a great year so far - sponsorship is in place and the professionalism of the squad has improved Craig Wright

The Saltires failed to qualify ahead of Holland, Canada and Namibia for the last World Cup earlier this year.

And seeing other teams going to South Africa instead of Scotland was definitely a painful experience for Wright.

"I tried not to watch much of the tournament. We really should've been there," he said.

But Wright does not intend to miss the next World Cup, and believes the Saltires will be much better team this time, especially after spending their first season in the National League.

"We didn't have the same quality of preparation back then. We weren't playing in the NCL at that stage."

Although the part-timers ultimately finished bottom of the NCL second division in their debut season, they won four of their 18 matches - including beating County Champions Sussex and runners-up Lancashire.

Wright said: "It's been a great year so far - sponsorship is in place and the professionalism of the squad has improved."

One of the highlights was playing with Indian World Cup star Rahul Dravid.

Wright would love to see him return next year but nothing has been arranged yet.

"We've put one or two feelers out for next season, but we've heard nothing yet.

"Until the money is in place for next year, we can't do anything," he said

One boost for the winter is the addition of Scots-born duo Gavin Hamilton and John Blain, who have been released by Yorkshire and Northamptonshire respectively.

They will be going with Scotland to Dubai in February to take part in an ICC competition against the best five associate members.

It would be fantastic to play more games, but less games is better than none at all Wright on the 2007 World Cup

But Wright revealed the pair have not signed contracts with Scotland.

"Blain and Hamilton have been released from their county clubs and are training with us over winter," he added.

"But we can't offer them professional contracts at the moment, so if another county comes in for them, there's nothing we can do."

But Scotland's situation certainly looks healthier now than at the beginning of the year.

With an improved squad and more places available, the Saltires are a promising bet to reach the 2007 World Cup.

Even though the next tournament will feature four first round groups instead of two, meaning minnows such as Scotland are likely to play fewer games than before, Wright's excitement cannot be dented.

He said: "Obviously it would be fantastic to play more games, but less games is better than none at all."