Grange wicket-keeper Gould given first Scotland call

Grange wicket-keeper Owen Gould has been given a first call-up to the Scotland squad for April's ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 fixtures and T20 internationals in Namibia.

The 21-year-old, who captained Scotland at the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup in 2024 and has since featured for Scotland A, is the sole new call-up.

Lancashire batsman Michael Jones, former New Zealand international Tom Bruce, Chris Greaves, Finlay McCreath and Bradley Wheal drop out after being part of the squad for the recent T20 World Cup.

Essex seamer Mackenzie Jones returns for the first time since making his international debut last summer, while Carlton all-rounder Chris McBride is also recalled.

Cricket Scotland explained that "several players were not considered for selection due to county or club commitments or outstanding personal reasons".

Zainullah Ihsan, the Afghan-born fast bowler called up for the World Cup squad after recently qualifying to play for Scotland, will join the squad for the T20 fixtures as a replacement for Jones.

Scotland head coach Owen Dawkins said: "Owen has come through our pathway system, progressed through the inder-19s and A-team cricket, and has shown good consistent form in league cricket in Scotland as well, and he deserves his chance now to stake a claim at full international level."

The Scots will face hosts Namibia and Oman in four one-day internationals in Windhoek as they continue their bid to retain the League 2 crown.

Scotland currently lie second of the eight countries behind United States.

The series will be followed by three T20i fixtures against Namibia, with the tour concluding on 18 April.

"Our aim on this tour is to continue to play the positive brand of cricket that saw us give a good account of ourselves at the T20 World Cup and move ourselves forwards in the CWCL2 standings," Dawkins added.

"The great challenge for us is to build upon the good things we did in India and progress those areas that we need to work on."

Richie Berrington (Clydesdale), Matthew Cross (Heriot's), Bradley Currie (Sussex), Jasper Davidson (Grange), Oliver Davidson (Carlton), Owen Gould (Grange), Zainullah Ihsan (GHK), Jack Jarvis (Grange), Mackenzie Jones (Essex), Michael Leask (Forfarshire), Chris McBride (Carlton), Finlay McCreath (Grange), Brandon McMullen, (RH Corstorphine), George Munsey (RH Corstorphine), Safyaan Sharif (Perth Doo'cot), Mark Watt (Heriot's).

Zainullah Ihsan selected for T20 international series only, replacing Mackenzie Jones.

ICC CWCL2

2 April - Scotland v Oman

6 April - Scotland v Namibia

8 April - Scotland v Oman

12 April - Scotland v Namibia

T20 International Series

15 April - Scotland v Namibia

17 April - Scotland v Namibia

18 April Scotland v Namibia

All matches in Windhoek.