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 qualif ier 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 14, followed by Nepal on February 17, Namibia again the following day 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 th e 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 gai n valuable knowledge.

“Both he and Jack are like sponges, they are enthusiastic and are very coachable and II’m excited to see what the future holds for him.”

Richie Berrington will once again captain the squad while Durham wicket keeper/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 c oach 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 B atting and A ssistant 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 conti nue 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
• Shane

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 famil y all the best for the future.”