Scotland have named a full-strength squad for their tour of Australia and New Zealand later this month, as they ramp up preparations for next year’s Cricket World Cup.
National selectors on Monday announced a 16-man squad for the trip, which forms part of the team’s preparations for the 2015 World Cup, with the 26-year-old Preston Mommsen chosen to lead the side ahead of regular skipper Kyle Coetzer.
“Preston Mommsen is going to lead this team for this tour, while we will announce our World Cup captain when the squad is revealed,” head coach Grant Bradburn said.
“We now have a number of potential leaders and players who are desperate and proud to lead their country.
“It is deemed a great honour to captain Scotland. Cricket-wise, however, it’s imperative that a captain can command with his performance.
“Preston Mommsen will captain on the back of the fact that he has thrived in recent times in this capacity and will lead the team on this tour.”
Mommsen played a pivotal part in ensuring Scotland reached the World Cup – scoring 520 runs in eight innings and claiming player of the tournament in the ICC qualifying event earlier this year.
Bradburn added that Coetzer remained a “valued and highly respected senior member of the side”, but said he wanted the 30-year-old to “focus on his own game without the additional responsibility that captaincy brings”.
Scotland face 50-over games against the Tasmanian Tigers and Queensland Academy of Sport XIs before heading to New Zealand to play a Kiwi invitational XI and three domestic first-class sides.
“It’s a great opportunity to get our full-strength squad together on a tour which helps us prepare for a huge World Cup ahead of us,” Bradburn said.
“This tour will allow us to have a good mix of game and training time.
“We have 15 games between now and the World Cup, and this initial tour allows us to work through our combinations and game plans.
“Strategically, we have chosen some quality training opportunities and opposition.
“It’s a chance to really improve on playing spin and quick pace – something we don’t get the opportunity to do as much as we would in our home conditions.”
The squad will depart on September 22 and return on October 24.
Scotland squad: Preston Mommsen (capt), Kyle Coetzer, Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, Gordon Goudie, Michael Leask, Calum MacLeod, Richie Berrington, Freddie Coleman, Matthew Cross, Hamish Gardiner, Majid Haq, Matt Machan, Safyaan Sharif, Rob Taylor, Iain Wardlaw.
