Scotland cast winter net wide ahead of crucial qualifying campaigns

Cricket Scotland has named its men’s winter training squads for 2026/27, blending established internationals with a number of emerging players as preparations begin for a hugely important period on the international calendar.

The National Men’s Training Squad contains many familiar names, including captain Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross, Michael Leask, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif and Mark Watt, but there are also opportunities for players who have forced their way into the picture through strong performances during the summer.

Johnathan Van Zyl earns inclusion after impressing for Scotland’s ‘A’ side, while Lyle Robertson and Ollie Jones are retained following their international debuts this year.

Head of Performance Steve Snell highlighted the increased competition in Scotland’s spin department, with Robertson and Jones adding further depth to the finger-spin options. The winter programme has been planned with both immediate and longer-term targets in mind.

The ICC Men’s Global Qualifier in February is the main short-term priority, but Scotland are also looking towards the ICC T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier in the summer of 2027 and, beyond that, the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Players will undertake individualised and regionalised programmes under Owen Dawkins and his coaching team, with technical development complemented by a strong focus on conditioning, fitness and mental wellbeing.

Cricket Scotland has also announced a separate National Men’s Performance Training Squad, designed to provide further opportunities for players pushing through the pathway.

Among those highlighted is Olly Pillinger, who earned his place after an impressive season at age-group and club level before making a strong impression when stepping into the ‘A’ team environment.

Snell said selection across both groups had been highly competitive, reflecting what Cricket Scotland believes is increasing depth across the men’s game.

The winter block will therefore serve two purposes — preparing the senior group for a significant qualifying campaign while continuing to test and develop the next wave of potential internationals.

With major tournaments on the horizon, the battle for places is already under way.

NATIONAL MEN’S TRAINING SQUAD

Richie Berrington – Clydesdale  
Cameron Brown – Arbroath United  
Lloyd Brown – Heriot’s  
Matthew Cross – Heriot’s  
Bradley Currie – Unattached  
Daniel Da Costa – Carlton  
Jasper Davidson – Grange  
Oliver Davidson – Carlton  
Michael English – Ferguslie  
Zainullah Ihsan – GHK  
Jack Jarvis – Grange  
Ollie Jones – Ayr  
Michael Leask – Forfarshire  
Brandon McMullen – RH Corstorphine  
Chris McBride – Carlton  
Finlay McCreath – Grange  
George Munsey – RH Corstorphine  
Lyle Robertson – Falkland  
Safyaan Sharif – Perth Doo’cot  
Johnathan Van Zyl – RH Corstorphine  
Mark Watt – Heriot’s  

NATIONAL MEN’S PERFORMANCE TRAINING SQUAD
Uzair Ahmad – Ferguslie  
Jamie Dunk – Welbeck  
Ibrahim Faisal – Ferguslie  
Owen Gould – Grange  
Hazrat Bilal – GHK  
Nawid Mohammad – GHK  
Liam Naylor – RH Corstorphine  
Olly Pillinger – Watsonian  
Isaac Rahman – Clydesdale  
Manu Saraswat – Forfarshire