Scotland announce squad for World Cup Qualifier
Kyle Coetzer has been selected as captain and will lead the side against Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Zimbabwe, plus the final qualifier to be confirmed following World Cricket League Division 2 in February in Group B.
Michael Jones and Tom Sole have both been selected after their maiden international tour to the UAE in January.
Hampshire duo Brad Wheal and Chris Sole will add pace to the attack and will be accompanied by Safyaan Sharif, Stuart Whittingham and Alasdair Evans who will form a five-prong pace attack.
Richie Berrington, who has been named as vice-captain, Matthew Cross and Calum MacLeod are expected to play an important role with the bat and provide valuable experience in the field with 444 international caps between them.
Coetzer said: “We are all looking forward to the challenges ahead. The squad has been preparing efficiently, taking into consideration the conditions and the opposition we will face.
“The quality of the competition ahead will be higher and better than ever before, especially with four Full Member nations also required to qualify. There is nothing to fear, it is merely something we openly speak about and embrace.
“We hope to be in a position by the end of the tournament to not only qualify for the World Cup but also defend our title from the previous qualifying campaign. We have the depth within our squad to make this a reality and we will be raring to go when the opening game comes around.”
Scotland’s head coach Grant Bradburn said: “We welcome the new faces into the squad in Michael Jones and Tom Sole who have both adapted very quickly and shown their fantastic international qualities on the recent tour to Dubai. While the side will miss several experienced players of recent times, it contains a strong heart of quality proven players who are relishing the opportunity to step forward and dominate for Scotland.”
The Super Six phase begins on 15 March in Harare with the final of the competition set for March 25.
Scotland squad
Kyle Coetzer (c), Richie Berrington (vc), Matthew Cross, Alasdair Evans, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Calum MacLeod, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole, Tom Sole, Craig Wallace, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal, Stuart Whittingham
