Scotland name squad for CWCL2 series in Nepal

Scotland have named an exciting squad for their upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tour of Nepal, where they are set to face the home side and USA.

Ollie Jones impressed at the ICC Men's U19 World Cup earlier this year, while English, who struck a century on debut against Namibia (107 off 122 and Player of the Match honour) in 2024, has been rewarded with a call-up for his strong recent form.

Squad: Richie Berrington (C), Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Jasper Davidson, Oliver Davidson, Michael English, Owen Gould, Jack Jarvis, Ollie Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt

Richie Berrington will continue to lead the side after amassing 738 runs in the ongoing cycle. George Munsey, who leads the batting chart for Scotland with 1049 runs has also been named, alongside Brandom McMullen, who has 35 wickets.

Left-arm seamer Bradley Currie (32 wickets in CWCL2) also returns after illness, having missed the Namibia tour, where Scotland claimed the T20I series 2-1. Meanwhile, squad regulars, including Chris McBride and Mackenzie Jones are unavailable.

Owen Dawkins, Scotland Men’s Head Coach, labelled the tour as a way to make gains in the Cricket World Cup League 2 and add to their 34 points in hand.

“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to travel to Nepal and play this series against two very strong sides," he said. "The country is hugely passionate about cricket, and the crowds are always very vocal and fun to play in front of.

“We’re very familiar with our hosts after playing them in Dundee last summer and then facing them at the recent ICC T20 World Cup, which was a fantastic game that we didn’t quite come out on the right side of.

"They are extremely talented, as are the USA team who sit top of the CWCL2 standings, so we know we’ll have to play to our best to beat both sides.

This marks Scotland Men’s first trip to Nepal since February 2023, when they secured the trophy at the end of the previous ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series.

Currently placed second in the CWCL2 standings behind the United States, Scotland will take on both the USA and Nepal twice in Kirtipur as they aim to strengthen their push for qualification to next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup global qualifier.

Fixtures:

12 May - Scotland vs Nepal, TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
14 May - Scotland vs USA, TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
18 May - Scotland vs Nepal, TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
20 May - Scotland vs USA, TU Cricket Ground, Kirtipur