New Scots at home to Canada

A new generation of Scottish cricketers takes the field against Canada in the ICC Intercontinental Cup and two One-Day Internationals at Citylets Mannofield, Aberdeen, over the next 10 days.

With an average age of under 25, the two teams will have distinctive challenges under two different captains. Gordon Drummond, the Carlton coach, will lead the Intercontinental Cup squad for the four-day match beginning on Thursday July 2. And Gavin Hamilton returns to captain a slightly different squad for the ODIs on Tuesday and Wednesday July 7 and 8.

The squads selected are as follows:

Intercontinental Cup: Gordon Drummond (c), Ryan Watson, Fraser Watts, Jan Stander, Neil McCallum, Simon Smith (w), Qasim Sheikh, Moneeb Iqbal, Majid Haq, Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Ewan Chalmers.

ODIs squad: Gavin Hamilton (c), Navdeep Poonia, Gordon Drummond, Ryan Watson, Fraser Watts, Jan Stander, Neil McCallum, Simon Smith (w), Majid Haq, Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Ross Lyons.

Head coach Peter Steindl said: "With these selections, we are starting to look ahead over the next four years and, broadly speaking, we are seeking to give the younger generation as much experience as we can.

"We believe that some cricketers are more suited to the longer form of the game, while some flourish in the one-day variety. With more and more top-quality youngsters pushing for places in the national squads, those squads may show more differences as time goes on. It’s up to the players to make their case on the field."

I-Cup captain Gordon Drummond said: "This is an exciting time for Scottish cricket and I am delighted to have been asked to take responsibility for the I-Cup squad, where we need players who are in for the long haul. The matches against Canada and, next month, Ireland, will certainly be a test to be savoured. The players will, I’m sure, rise to the occasion."

Note: There is no charge for entry to these matches at Mannofield