Cricket Scotland Media Release

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Scotlandâs cricket selectors have named their squad of 14 players who will bid for a place in the 2007 World Cup finals at the ICC Trophy tournament in Ireland in July.

The Lloyds TSB Scotland squad is:

• Craig Wright (Greenock, captain)
• John Blain (Yorkshire)
• Dougie Brown (Warwickshire)
• Asim Butt (Heriot's)
• Kyle Coetzer (Durham)
• Cedric English (Carlton)
• Dewald Nel (Heriotâs)
• Gavin Hamilton (Durham)
• Paul Hoffmann (Uddingston)
• Dougie Lockhart (West of Scotland)
• Gregor Maiden (Grange)
• Colin Smith (Aberdeenshire)
• Ryan Watson (Forfarshire)
• Fraser Watts (Carlton)

Wicket-keeper Colin Smith will be required by his employers, Grampian Police, to return to Scotland for a number of days to fulfil duties in connection with the G8 Summit at Gleneagles. He will therefore be unavailable to play in the matches against Papua New Guinea (July 4), Namibia (July 5) and possibly the crossover match on July 9. Discussions are continuing with the police authority.

Dougie Brown will miss the squadâs first match against Oman (July 1) as he is playing for Warwickshire in a Twenty20 fixture against Worcestershire, which is one of the designated games of his professional benefit year.

Kyle Coetzer is currently recovering from a hernia operation. He is expected to be back in action on the cricket field soon but, should he be judged to be physically unfit before Scotland depart for Ireland, the ICC rules allow for a replacement.

National coach Andy Moles said: ãThough our early season programme has been rain-affected, it is clear that these are the 14 men most prepared to represent Scotland in this crucial tournament - physically, mentally and in terms of their cricketing ability and experience. I am confident they will do well.ä

Skipper Wright added: ãI believe our recent performances in the Totesport League have demonstrated that we are capable of competing on the world stage. We are all determined not to miss out on the opportunity to do so.ä

The Scotland squad departs for Belfast on Monday June 27. After one warm-up game against Ireland on Wednesday June 29, the 12-team ICC Trophy tournament itself begins on Friday July 1 with the first of five pool matches:

• Friday July 1: Scotland v Oman at Instonians CC
• Saturday July 2: Scotland v Canada at Bangor CC
• Monday July 4: Scotland v Papua New Guinea at Cooke Collegians CC
• Tuesday July 5: Scotland v Namibia at Limavady CC
• Thursday July 7: Scotland v Holland at Civil Service CC/Stormont

The countries competing in the other pool are the hosts, Ireland, along with Bermuda, Denmark, Uganda, United Arab Emirates and USA.

The top two countries from each pool will all qualify for the 2007 World Cup, and will progress through to the semi-finals in Dublin, which will be played on Saturday July 9. The next two countries from each pool will contest their own crossover semi-finals (on July 9), with the two winners meeting on July 11 to determine which country will claim the fifth qualifying place for the World Cup tournament in the West Indies. The ICC Trophy final will be played at Clontarf on Monday July 13.

Roddy Smith, chief executive of Cricket Scotland, said: ãEveryone involved in the game in Scotland has a vested interest in the success of our team in this tournament. We want them to do well, and we will all be rooting for them and following their progress in Belfast and Dublin.

ãCricket Scotland is very grateful that the three counties who employ members of the squad - Warwickshire, Durham and Yorkshire - have been so supportive in releasing their players.ä