Mommsen to skipper Scots on Aus/NZ tour

Cricket365

Scotland have named batsman Preston Mommsen as their skipper for the tour to Australia and New Zealand later this month, with Kyle Coetzer part of the squad but not in a leadership role.

Scotland have named batsman Preston Mommsen as their skipper for the tour to Australia and New Zealand later this month, with Kyle Coetzer part of the squad but not in a leadership role.

Mommsen was the skipper during the recent ODI series against Ireland, and the Saltires have opted to keep it that way, and allow Coetzer to focus on his batting without the additional responsibility that captaincy brings".

Scotland head coach Grant Bradburn said: "Preston Mommsen is going to lead this team for this tour, while we will announce our World Cup captain when the squad is revealed.

"We now have a number of potential leaders and players who are desperate and proud to lead their country.

"It is deemed a great honour to captain Scotland. Cricket-wise, however, it's imperative that a captain can command with his performance.

"Preston Mommsen will captain on the back of the fact that he has thrived in recent times in this capacity and will lead the team on this tour."

The tour will comprise of games against the Tasmanian Tigers and Queensland Academy of Sport XIs, before they go to New Zealand to play a Kiwi invitational XI and three domestic first-class sides.

Bradburn added: "It's a great opportunity to get our full-strength squad together on a tour which helps us prepare for a huge World Cup ahead of us.

"This tour will allow us to have a good mix of game and training time. We have 15 games between now and the World Cup, and this initial tour allows us to work through our combinations and game plans.

"Strategically, we have chosen some quality training opportunities and opposition. It's a chance to really improve on playing spin and quick pace – something we don't get the opportunity to do as much as we would in our home conditions."

Scotland squad: Preston Mommsen (captain), Kyle Coetzer, Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, Gordon Goudie, Michael Leask, Calum MacLeod, Richie Berrington, Freddie Coleman, Matthew Cross, Hamish Gardiner, Majid Haq, Matt Machan, Safyaan Sharif, Rob Taylor, Iain Wardlaw.