Stoneywood-Dyce batsman Michael Leask is preparing for a dream one-day international appearance in his home city.
Aberdonian Leask has played his way into contention to face England in tomorrow’s eagerly anticipated match at Manno-field after a succession of impressive batting performances.
The 23-year-old opened the domestic season with an impressive 94 in his club’s opening day win against Watsonians in the CS Eastern Premier.
He followed that up with two more half-centuries for the Highlanders in the first fixtures of the inaugural North Sea Pro Series against Dutch opposition last weekend.
Now Leask is hoping for the nod from stand-in Scotland coach Craig Wright to face England.
Leask was a regular in the Scotland side which lifted the World Cup Qualifying Trophy during the winter, but he has made just two appearances in official one-day inter- nationals, with a modest highest score of just 12.
However, his big-hitting exploits have brought a highest score of 58 in Twenty20 internationals and Leask’s strengths could appeal to the attack-minded Wright.
He said: “Hopefully I’ve done enough to get picked for the team because it really would be a dream come true.
“To play in an one-day international in my home city with all my family there would be very special and the fact it’s against England is an added bonus.
“I’ve been in great form since the start of the season with a few big scores and I’m hitting the ball well. I hope that counts in my favour because although it’s great to be in the squad it would be even better to make the team.
“There is always a rivalry when Scotland plays England at any sport and we are aware of what it would mean to beat them.
“There’s no doubt they start favourites and rightly so, but we are the team on the rise and that could work in our favour.
“We have a fair bit of momentum since the winter and the fact our new coach Grant Bradburn will be at the game gives us an extra incentive as well.”
Leask was one of several Scotland squad members who yesterday took time out to coach some local schoolchildren at Harlaw Playing Fields in the city.
The P4s got the chance to use the Cricket Factory Rig, taking part in catching, batting and throwing challenges.
Cricket Scotland’s north club development mana- ger Neil Cameron said: “I am so excited by the level of cricket activity in Aberdeen.
“This city is still a hotbed of cricket every Saturday during the summer and has produced some of our finest players in recent times.”
Leask is one of four Aberdeen-born players – along with captain Kyle Coetzer, wicketkeeper Matty Cross and all-rounder Josh Davey – in the 13-man squad.