Scotland go for youth against Canada

The Scottish selectors have invested in youth by selecting a young squad with an average age of 25 against Canada in the ICC Intercontinental Cup and two ODIs in Aberdeen over the next ten days. Scotland will play a four-day Intercontinental Cup match from July 2-5 before taking on Canada for two 50-over fixtures on July 7 and 8.

Scotland, looking to rebuild in the wake of their failure to qualify for the 2011 World Cup, have named two teams with distinctive challengers under two different captains. Gordon Drummond will lead the Intercontinental Cup squad for the four-day match and Gavin Hamilton will take over for the ODIs.

"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," said coach Peter Steindl. "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."

Drummond termed this an exciting time for Scottish cricket. "I am delighted to have been asked to take responsibility for the Intercontinental 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."

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

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