Scotland earns call-up for U19 World Cup qualifier

HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Fourteen-year-old Marcus Scotland has been rewarded for a string of top performances with the bat in England by being named in Bermuda’s squad of 14 players for an ICC Under-19 World Cup qualifier in Canada next month.
Scotland, whose late grandfather Rupert Scotland, a top cricketer, came to Bermuda from Antigua, is currently in Surrey’s youth programme.

Scotland struck his highest score so far when he made 174 not out for Surrey Under-14 County Age Group in his team’s match against Cambridgeshire Under-14s last weekend.
The score followed Scotland’s first century five days earlier against Sussex Under-14s when he scored 100 not out. It takes his total to 554 runs in 11 innings this season with two 50s and two centuries, all not out.
Bermuda will face Canada and the United States in the qualifier, starting in Toronto on July 17. The winners will advance to the Under-19 World Cup to be held in New Zealand next year.

National coach Clay Smith said: “This was a very difficult team to select, but I want to thank all the players for their efforts. The team is fairly young, but very talented, and I have no doubt they will put their best foot forward … and do us all proud.”
Announcing the team on Friday, Bermuda Cricket Board president Lloyd Fray said: “I am very pleased with the intensity and quality of the preparation for this squad.
“Bermuda first qualified for the Under-19 World Cup 10 years ago in Toronto, so hopefully we will see history repeat itself this year.”