- Tue, March 15, 2022
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Scotland Cricket Team Heads to Zimbabwe for Training Camp Ahead of Crucial Season
Scotland’s men’s national cricket team is set to embark on an important training camp in Zimbabwe this April as they gear up for a demanding summer of international fixtures. The squad will depart for Harare on April 13, where they will undergo rigorous match practice against the Zimbabwe Academy and Zimbabwe ‘A’ teams.
The camp is a key component of Scotland’s preparations for their upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 (CWCL2) series in the Netherlands in May, followed by a home series in June. With limited cricketing action since their last series in the USA, the Scotland team management sees this camp as an essential step toward sharpening skills and building team cohesion.
Strengthening the Squad Through Competitive Fixtures
Head Coach Doug Watson will lead the squad, supported by assistant coaches Craig Wright and Moneeb Iqbal, along with team physio Gary Metcalfe. Cricket Scotland’s Head of Performance, Steve Snell, emphasized the significance of this tour and expressed gratitude to Zimbabwe Cricket for their collaboration in arranging the fixtures.
“The men’s fixture list is extremely busy this summer, and given the squad’s lack of competitive matches since the USA series last year, it was imperative to arrange valuable 50-over practice ahead of our CWCL2 campaigns,” said Snell.
“I’m grateful to Zimbabwe Cricket for their organization and flexibility in hosting us in Harare, allowing us to face quality opposition in Zimbabwe ‘A’ and their academy side. These matches will be vital as we aim to strengthen our qualification bid for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027.”
Snell also highlighted the balanced squad selection, which includes a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents. “With other commitments keeping some players unavailable, we’ve assembled a squad that combines experience with promising youngsters who will gain invaluable exposure ahead of crucial fixtures.”
Scotland’s Squad for the Zimbabwe Tour
Richie Berrington (Captain) – Clydesdale
Charlie Cassell – Heriot’s
Matthew Cross – Heriot’s
Bradley Currie – Sussex
Jasper Davidson – Grange
Owen Gould – RH Corstorphine
Chris Greaves – Grange
Jack Jarvis – Grange
Michael Leask – Forfarshire
Chris McBride – Carlton
Finlay McCreath – Grange
Brandon McMullen – RH Corstorphine
George Munsey – RH Corstorphine
Safyaan Sharif – Perth Doo’cot
Mark Watt – Heriot’s
A number of players were unavailable for selection due to work, personal circumstances, or county cricket commitments, but the squad remains well-equipped to gain valuable match experience.
Scotland’s Match Schedule in Zimbabwe
April 19 – Scotland vs Zimbabwe Academy (2 T20s) – Harare
April 22 – Scotland vs Zimbabwe Academy (50-over) – Harare
April 24 – Scotland vs Zimbabwe ‘A’ (50-over) – Harare
April 26 – Scotland vs Zimbabwe ‘A’ (50-over) – Harare
April 28 – Scotland vs Zimbabwe ‘A’ (50-over) – Harare
These games will provide the Scottish squad with crucial experience in subcontinent-like conditions, helping them refine their approach against quality opposition before the all-important CWCL2 matches.
Eyes on ICC Cricket World Cup Qualification
Scotland currently holds a strong position in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, but the upcoming fixtures in the Netherlands and at home will be decisive in shaping their qualification hopes for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027. The Zimbabwe training camp is expected to play a pivotal role in fine-tuning strategies, experimenting with combinations, and ensuring the squad is match-ready.
With experienced players like Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross, and Mark Watt leading the charge, alongside emerging talents, Scotland aims to make the most of this tour to build momentum heading into a packed international calendar.
As they prepare for a competitive summer, Scottish cricket fans will be keen to see their team step up against quality opponents and take another step toward securing a spot in the next ICC Cricket World Cup.
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