SCOTLAND MEN'S U19 SQUAD CONFIRMED FOR WORLD CUP
The Scotland Men’s U19 squad that will compete at the forthcoming ICC Men’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia has been confirmed.
There are two new faces following the ICC Europe Qualifier in August, with Shlok Thaker of Clydesdale and Shreyas Tekale of Carlton added to the group that won the Qualifier in dramatic fashion at Dundee. Forfarshire’s Thomas Knight continues as captain, while four players have been named as non-travelling reserves.
Scotland Men's U19 Squad
Head Coach Keegan Russell said:
“It’s exciting to welcome Shlok and Shreyas into the squad, and we’re really happy to see the work they’ve put in to get to this stage.
“Shlok was with us as part of the wider training squad and unfortunately missed out on a place at the Qualifier. He’s gone away and taken on board the feedback, put a huge amount into his training and come back fitter and stronger and is now bowling the best that we’ve seen him. It’s really pleasing to see that approach he’s taken, responding to what could be seen as a setback, and he’s come back stronger for it.
“Shreyas had a great tour in Ireland with the U17 squad at the Celtic Cup and proved a real handful on the wickets over there. He’s had a tough journey in terms of the teams he’s had to graft to get into and as someone who wasn’t in our wider squad at the start of the year, he’s come on a great deal and turned heads with some of his performances, so he deserves his selection.”
The fifteen-strong squad will fly to South Africa on 30 December for a training camp at Potchefstroom, before heading to Zimbabwe for warmup games against India in Bulawayo and Bangladesh in Harare. The tournament begins for Scotland on 15 January when they take on hosts Zimbabwe in Harare, followed by matches against Pakistan and England.
“It’s an exciting time for everyone, but it’s been challenging as well,” said Keegan. “It’s important to remember that we are looking after a group of teenage boys who are training like professionals ahead of this World Cup, so it’s been brilliant to see their excitement, and it’s been a long time coming for them.
“We see this tournament as a chance to go out and turn a few heads, and hopefully topple some bigger teams as well, but it’s also a chance to learn and develop against some of the best players in the world on the international stage.”