Scotland are stepping up attempts to persuade Indian batsman Rahul Dravid to play for them this summer.
The Scots are set to make their debut in England's one-day Norwich Union League and want a big name to help them make an impact and pull in the crowds.
Scottish Cricket Limited turned to Dravid after an initial approach to teammate Sachin Tendulkar was rejected and are believed to have held talks with him in South Africa on Wednesday.
"He wants to get married after the World Cup and has no interest in playing county cricket again because it is too demanding.
"But he said he is very keen to play for us, provided we can come closer to the payment he wants," said SCL chief executive Gwynne Jones.
Money is a major issue for Scotland, who have so far been unable to attract a sponsor for the team and have to rely on a £104,000 grant from the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Dravid is one of the top batsmen in world cricket, having scored 6,451 runs in one-day internationals and 5,614 in Tests.
He has plenty of previous experience of English conditions, having toured with India and played county cricket for Kent.
Scotland have been admitted to the Norwich Union League on a three-year trial basis.
They have taken part in the B&H Cup in the past but that competition came to an end last summer, and they were not invited to play in the new Twenty20 Cup.