Steindl has faith in Scotland

Ryan Watson leads a talented Scotland squad

Scotland head coach Peter Steindl believes his team can seriously test New Zealand when the teams clash in Aberdeen next week.

Steindl named his squad today for the July 3 one-day international at the Mannofield Park ground, and he believes the Scots are running into the kind of form required to shock the Kiwis.

He said: “Scotland has yet to defeat a Test-playing country, and this is therefore another opportunity for us to break new ground against New Zealand.

“We have several players who are in fine form at the present time, so we hope to spring a surprise or two on both our visiting teams.”

The Scots will face New Zealand as part of a three-team event, and take on Ireland the previous day. Ireland and New Zealand play on July 1.

Scotland must cope without 23-year-old batsman Kyle Coetzer who will remain with Durham after a disappointing start to his county season, while injured Warwickshire teenager Callum McLeod also misses out.

Scotland squad: Ryan Watson, Richie Berrington, Dewald Nel, Craig Wright, John Blain, Gordon Goudie, Gavin Hamilton, Majid Haq, Neil McCallum, Navdeep Poonia, Glenn Rogers, Qasim Sheikh, Colin Smith, Fraser Watts.