Scotland have announced a strong squad for their World Cup qualifying matches against Oman and Papua New Guinea in Aberdeen later this month.
With international matches returning to the Granite City for the first time since 2014, during a busy week of ODI tussles from August 14 to 21, there is a strong north-east flavour to the squad which has been announced by the governing body.
Aberdonian Kyle Coetzer will lead his compatriots into battle at the start of a tournament, which will see the Scots involved in 36 ODIs during a two-and-a-half-year period from August, 2019 to January, 2022.
Coetzer is currently in T20 action in Canada, as are his colleagues, Matt Cross, Richie Berrington, George Munsey, Calum MacLeod and Safyaan Sharif, all of whom are included in the ranks for the ICC World Cup League Two contests.
There are also places for the former Nairn and Aberdeenshire paceman, Adrian Neill, who is now on the county circuit at Gloucestershire, and Michael LEask, who starred for the Scots against England at Mannofield five years ago.
Simon Smith, Cricket Scotland’s High Performance Manager, said: “We look forward to welcoming Oman and PNG for what is sure to be an exciting series.
“We are particularly pleased to be bringing international cricket back to Aberdeen,
and I’m sure the people of the north east will come out united and determined to
support their team as it embarks on the next chapter of its journey.
“Our men have an excellent record at Mannofield, so we will be looking to make home
advantage count. ICC Cricket World Cup League Two is our pathway to India 2023
and the next cycle of Super League, and making a strong start here will set us up
well for the challenges that lie ahead.”
SQUAD: Kyle Coetzer (captain) (Caledonian Highlanders), Richie Berrington (Western Warriors),Matthew Cross (Western Warriors), Alasdair Evans (Eastern Knights), Michael Leask (Caledonian Highlanders), Calum MacLeod (Western Warriors), Gavin Main (Durham, Western Warriors), George Munsey (Eastern Knights), Adrian Neill
(Gloucestershire, Caledonian Highlanders), Safyaan Sharif (Western Warriors),
Thomas Sole (Northamptonshire), Hamza Tahir (Western Warriors), Craig Wallace
(Caledonian Highlanders), Mark Watt (Derbyshire, Eastern Knights).
Tournament Schedule:
Oman vs. PNG: 14th August
Scotland vs. Oman: 15th August
Scotland vs. PNG: 17th August
Scotland vs. Oman: 18th August
Scotland vs. PNG: 20th August
Oman vs. PNG: 21st August
All matches take place at Mannofield, Aberdeen at 11am.