With a batting average of 46 from 17 first-class matches for Central Districts, Tom Bruce is one of the big movers in the domestic ranks.

Big-hitting Central Stags batsman Tom Bruce could play for Scotland and New Zealand A within weeks of each other, after making a flying start to his bid for an international cricket call-up.

The 24-year-old from Taranaki made an instant impression in Scotland after he was offered the opportunity by national coach and former Black Cap Grant Bradburn.

Bruce, who qualifies via his Edinburgh-born father, backed up an initial knock of 132 not out for a development XI with an innings of 70 off 81 balls for Scotland A against Ireland A in a three-day match in Ayr on Tuesday. It was cut short by a run out, and moved him a step closer to a debut in the one-day international series against Afghanistan in Edinburgh next month.

But it won't affect his rise up the New Zealand ranks which is gaining pace. In a quirk of the International Cricket Council's eligibility rules, Bruce could play for Scotland, then go on the mooted New Zealand A tour to India in September, and even represent the Black Caps during the home summer.

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The rules state a player can represent an associate nation then a full member nation with no stand-down period in between. If the reverse applies, there's a four-year stand-down after representing a full member nation.

"Grant Bradburn is friendly with my batting coach from back home, Debu Banik, so once we found out about my Scottish heritage it was just a few emails back and forth and it's given myself an opportunity to come up and play and push for Scotland honours. It's something I'd love the opportunity to do," Bruce told Cricket Scotland on arrival.

"It would mean a whole lot to my family, with Dad and the Scottish heritage in the rest of the family."

New Zealand Cricket encouraged and supported Bruce to take up Bradburn's offer, as did the Central Stags who can still contract him as a local player in their 15-strong list when they finalise it next month.

Bruce had a highly impressive last season which included his highest first-class score of 166 not out against Northern Knights in Hamilton in March. From 17 first-class matches he averages 45.92. In white ball cricket he displayed some remarkable hitting power, topped by his knock of 71 off 23 balls in the Stags' one-day final victory over Canterbury in New Plymouth, two matches after he slayed Auckland's bowlers for 91 off 62 balls on Eden Park's Outer Oval.

Stags general manager Lance Hamilton said Bruce's international selection wasn't yet a done deal, as Cricket Scotland would need to apply to the ICC to make him eligible, but it would be deserved reward.

"It's great for him to get some experience at associate level through the winter, and it doesn't harm his eligibility in New Zealand," Hamilton said.

"He's been outstanding the last couple of years in the white ball format and then he scored that 160-odd against ND when we were in a bit of trouble, which proved he can certainly play in that format as well. He's a player of great promise."

Bruce marked his first representative innings last month with 14 fours and four sixes in his unbeaten 132 off 143 balls for Scotland Development XI against Durham Academy at Uddingston. The next highest score was 30 in their total of 297.

Cricket Scotland's head of performance Andy Tennant said at the time: "He was everything we hoped he would be given his career record and is obviously an exciting find for us. I'm delighted for him to have made such an immediate impact and he has also fitted in really well with the group."

Scotland are scheduled to host Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong between July 4 and September 10.