Scotland have announced a 15-member squad for their next ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series in Nepal, with teenage spinner Ollie Jones receiving his first senior call-up and seamer Brad Currie returning after missing the Namibia tour due to illness.
The four matches, two against Nepal and two against table-toppers USA, will all be played at the TU Cricket Ground in Kirtipur between May 12 and May 20. The series has a lot of weight, and Scotland is currently ranked second in the CWCL2 standings and is looking to build on their momentum towards next year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Global Qualifier.
Currie and Key Performers Back in Scotland Setup
Brad Currie, the Sussex left-arm seamer, is back after missing the recent Scotland tour of Namibia due to illness. He has already taken 32 wickets in the ongoing CWCL2 cycle and will play a significant role in the bowling attack in Kirtipur.
Scotland captain Richie Berrington continues to lead the side. He has garnered 738 runs in the ongoing competition. George Munsey remains Scotland’s leading run-scorer in the cycle with 1,049 runs, while Brandon McMullen has been their most effective bowler, picking up 35 wickets so far.
Scotland won the Namibia T20I series 2-1 on their last tour, and head coach Owen Dawkins believes this series will require an equally strong performance. “We know we’ll have to play to our best to beat both sides,” he said, referencing Nepal’s familiarity as opponents — Scotland faced them in Dundee last summer and again at the recent ICC T20 World Cup — and USA’s position at the top of the standings.
Ollie Jones Gets First Senior Call, English Returns to the Fold
The standout selection is Ollie Jones, the 19-year-old Ayr spinner who has earned his maiden Scotland senior call-up on the back of a strong showing at the ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup earlier this year.
Michael English also returns to the squad. The Ferguslie captain has featured in just one ODI for Scotland — against Namibia in July 2024 — but made it count, scoring 107 off 122 balls to win the Player of the Match award. He has not been part of the setup since.
Hampshire batter Ali Orr, who had been linked with a recall after impressing for Scotland A against Jersey last month, has not been included. He also failed to feature in any of Hampshire’s four County Championship matches this season. Regulars Chris McBride and Mackenzie Jones are also absent, ruled out due to county commitments, work, or personal reasons.
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Fixtures and What Is at Stake for Scotland
The four matches of Scotland in Kirtipur are as follows, all matches beginning at 04:45 BST:
| Date | Match |
| May 12 | Scotland v Nepal |
| May 14 | Scotland v USA |
| May 18 | Scotland v Nepal |
| May 20 | Scotland v USA |
Scotland had not visited Nepal since February 2023, when they won the CWCL2 series in Nepal. This time, the stakes are higher. As the USA tops the table, Scotland require the results of all four games to keep their qualification hopes alive. A place at the global qualifier for the full ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is the ultimate prize at the end of this cycle, making every point in this series count.
The full squad
Richie Berrington (c), Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Jasper Davidson, Oliver Davidson, Michael English, Owen Gould, Jack Jarvis, Ollie Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt.
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