The noose tightened further around the neck of Scotland skipper Ryan Watson after his dismal form with the bat continued against Middlesex at Lord's.

A succession of poor scores as Scotland failed to qualify for the 2011 World Cup; he scored just 72 in ten innings in South Africa, have left Watson under pressure and fighting to not only retain the captaincy but also his place in the side.

The loss of Scotland internationals Navdeep Poonia, Calum McLeod and John Blair to the county circuit far from helped the Saltires as they crashed to a heavy 162-run loss against Middlesex.

Billy Godleman's competition-best 82, coupled with 74 runs from Australia Test opener Phil Hughes, ensured Middlesex heaped further pressure on Watson.

After seeing Middlesex post a mammoth 302 from their 50 overs, Watson produced a six-ball one as Scotland were bowled all out for 140 in reply.

"We realise we're under the microscope now, having failed to qualify for the 2011 World Cup," said Watson. "But with our spate of injuries and players missing for a variety of reasons, we need to turn it round and hopefully we will start producing shortly.

"Every year we hope to get three or four scalps in this competition, I don't think that changes this year. We have eight games to do it and I know we can turns things around.

"We have enough cricket under our belts as a team and enough experience to cause some teams some problems.

"It hasn't been a great run for me personally; but I've got to keep training hard and hopefully I'm one score away from getting in form.

"I don't feel horribly out of form and hopefully I can get a few runs next week."