Photo Credit: Cricket Scotland
Uncapped all-rounder Jack Jarvis has been called up to the Scotland Men’s squad for the first time for next month’s trip to Nepal, a tour which will see Head Coach Shane Burger take charge of the national team for the final time.
Scotland will play their final Cricket World Cup League Two matches for the 2019-2023 cycle in Nepal, looking to top the table and keep positive momentum going, having already secured their place at the World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe in June and July. The main aim is, of course, to reach the World Cup itself in India later this year.
On this upcoming trip to Nepal, Scotland will play the hosts as well as Namibia across four ODIs. Namibia are the first opponents on February 15, followed by Nepal on February 17, Namibia on February 20 and finally Nepal on February 21.
Jarvis is part of the Men’s Performance Academy – as is fellow all-rounder Liam Naylor, who will also be heading to Nepal as a developmental player. Adrian Neill misses out from the squad that travelled to Namibia in December.
19-year-old Jarvis came through the ranks at Livingston and now plays his club cricket for Grange. In recent times he’s impressed playing for Scotland Under-19 at the 2022 age-grade World Cup, as well as with his work in the Performance Academy and performances at regional level.
“Jack is developing really nicely as a cricketer and he is probably the most improved Scottish male player in the last 12 months,” Burger said on his selection.
“He has really matured as a player and he is going to develop into a really good all-rounder. I think taking him on a trip like this will be a wonderful experience for him and will allow him to develop his skills, develop relationships with those around him and build from there.”
Cricket Scotland’s link-up with Edinburgh Napier University in running the Performance Academy is now really starting to bear fruit, and 21-year-old Naylor, who plays for Royal High Corstorphine, is seen as a fine prospect.
“Liam is someone who has impressed us in training, but also in the performances he has put in over the last year or so for the various teams he has been playing for,” Burger said.
“He has got all the tools and all the skills to go on and play at the highest level and we feel that taking him on a trip like this in a developmental role will allow him to gain valuable knowledge.
“Both he and Jack are like sponges, they are enthusiastic and are very coachable and I’m excited to see what the future holds for him.”
Richie Berrington will once again captain the squad while Durham wicketkeeper/batter Tom Mackintosh, who recently turned 20, will look to earn his first full cap on his second tour, having been in Namibia before Christmas.
For Burger, who has been head coach of Scotland since March 2019, this trip will mark his final tour after four years in the role before he heads off to be Somerset’s new Batting and Assistant coach in March.
“I have loved my time working with the group of core players and also bringing through younger players,” he reflected.
“On this trip I want to go out on a high and the guys will be looking to get four wins, but just as important as that for me will be seeing players like Brandon McMullen, Chris McBride and the younger ones continue to grow in confidence at this level.”
The 15-man squad head to Nepal on February 8 and return on February 23.
Scotland Men’s Squad
Richie Berrington (captain)
Kyle Coetzer
Matt Cross (vice-captain)
Chris Greaves
Jack Jarvis
Michael Leask
Tom Mackintosh
Chris McBride
Brandon McMullen
George Munsey
Liam Naylor – developmental player
Safyaan Sharif
Chris Sole
Hamza Tahir
Mark Watt
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Shane Burger has paid tribute to Oli Hairs, who recently announced his international retirement.
Hairs, 31, initially burst onto the international scene as a hard-hitting batter in 2010 aged just 19, when the then Grange man played five One Day Internationals.
He later spent time in England and in Australia – where a serious knee injury set him back – before returning to Scotland in 2019.
Since then, he has earned 14 T20I caps under Burger, but has now stepped back from Scotland duties and will play for and coach Watsonians.
“Oli is someone who I have a lot of time for; the way he battled back into the Scotland set up after years away showed what a talented and determined character he is,” Burger said.
“He was very unlucky to miss the 2021 T20 World Cup through injury and, on his day, he was a match-winner.
“I wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
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Name of Author: Cricket Scotland
Cricket Scotland, formerly the Scottish Cricket Union, is the governing body for cricket in Scotland, based at the National Cricket Academy in Edinburgh. Established in 1908 and restructured in 2001, it became an ICC Associate Member in 1994. The organization includes three sub-associations: the East of Scotland Cricket Association, Western District Cricket Union, and Aberdeenshire Cricket Association.
