Australian Peter Drinnen, 36, will gain a salary of around �40,000 and a mandate to help gain full one-day international status within five years.

"I very much look forward to helping Scotland further develop its technical set-up," Drinnen said.

ICC performance manager Bob Woolmer was part of the interview panel who picked Drinnen from a shortlist of 20.

The Queenslander has been charged with overseeing training for the entire Scottish national set-up, contributing to selection, identifying talent and educating coaches.

He will work alongside senior team coach Tony Judd as the Saltires prepare for the ICC Six Nations Challenge in Dubai next year.

Success there would gain Scotland a place alongside the game's elite in next September's ICC Champions Trophy.

The side also have high hopes of reaching the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, after the tournament format was expended to include 16 teams.

"Countries that we seek to emulate already have such technical directors in post," said Scottish Cricket chief executive Gwynne Jones.

"And with Peter now on board, we have taken a significant step forward in laying the foundations of achieving our ambition to become a major player in the world of cricket."