Scotland cricket team call up Coleman

FREDDIE Coleman has been rewarded for his half-century against Essex with a call up to the Scotland squad for this week’s two one-day internationals against Pakistan.

The 21-year-old batsman, who signed for Warwickshire in March, impressed in Scotland’s Yorkshire Bank 40 defeat by Essex on Sunday with an innings of 64 from 68 balls.

Kyle Coetzer will lead Scotland for the first time since being named captain with his predecessor Gordon Drummond also in the squad for the games at the Grange in Edinburgh on Friday and Sunday.

Five recent recruits who joined the Scotland set-up earlier this year are all included – Leicestershire all-rounder Rob Taylor, Northamptonshire wicketkeeper David Murphy, veteran all-rounder Neil Carter, Yorkshire bowler Iain Wardlaw and Sussex batsman Matt Machan. The squad also includes Majid Haq, who is looking to secure a new record for wickets in one-day internationals for Scotland. He currently has 41 which puts him level with John Blain.

Preston Mommsen will be vice-captain but there is no place for Calum MacLeod or Dewald Nel, who made his Scotland comeback following a long injury lay-off against Essex, while Gordon Goudie and Safyaan Sharif are missing after suffering injuries in recent weeks.

Coetzer said: “It will be an immense honour and a fantastic occasion which will fill me with pride leading out my country against a cricketing powerhouse like Pakistan – especially at the home of Scottish cricket.

“More importantly though, we are seeing this as a great opportunity to showcase our skills and test ourselves against one of the best teams in the world.”

Squad: K Coetzer (capt), P Mommsen, R Berrington, N Carter, F Coleman, J Davey, G Drummond, M Haq, M Iqbal, M Machan, D Murphy, R Taylor, I Wardlaw.