Scotland celebrate victory over Canada in Sharjah

Cricket Scotland want to appoint a full-time coach and Judd has decided not to apply.

"I would have loved to have seen the job through to next year's World Cup qualifiers and then on to the main tournament itself [in 2007]," he said.

"But Cricket Scotland's decision to go with a full-time coach and my personal commitments don't match up."

When the vacancy for a full-time coach was announced earlier this month, Judd said he was considering his options.

But the Australian is also coach of Greenock and has decided he does not want to turn his back on club cricket.

Scotland's main focus next year is the ICC Trophy tournament in Ireland when five places for the next World Cup will be up for grabs.

I'm sorry to be going but I'd like to thank Cricket Scotland for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to work with a great bunch of blokes Tony Judd

They have only played in the World Cup finals once - in England five years ago.

The new full-time coach will also have the task of guiding the Scottish Saltires as they compete in county cricket's National League for the third time.

Cricket Scotland chief Roddy Smith praised Judd's efforts.

"The team has definitely improved. Our last four games have seen us beat Bangladesh, Derbyshire and now Kenya and Canada to win a major tournament," he said.

Scotland stars John Blain and Gavin Hamilton, meanwhile, hope their county sides will release them to play in the ICC Trophy next April.

"I'd love to play in the qualifiers and help my nation qualify for another World Cup," said Blain, who also plays for Yorkshire.

"Gavin and I would love to go and play but hopefully the situation will be taken out of our hands.

"These are issues that must be sorted out among the chief executives."