Cricket World Cup: Scotland to name final squad

Scotland head coach Grant Bradburn will choose the squad to play New Zealand, England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia

Cricket Scotland will name their final 15-man World Cup squad this week.

Grant Bradburn's team arrived in Dubai on Monday as preparations intensify ahead of February's showpiece in Australia and New Zealand.

Bradburn and assistant coach Craig Wright have already trimmed down an initial 24-man squad that was named in December to 16 players.

And one man will go home following a series of warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Ireland.

Scotland play the first of two games against the Afghans on Thursday. The side, captained by Preston Mommsen, will also face the Irish twice.

"This series is obviously an important tour for us to gain valuable match time as we build towards February," said Bradburn.

"The last few months have allowed the squad to hone our skills, whilst building a strong team environment.

"It's going to be a great opportunity to test ourselves against Ireland and Afghanistan, I know the guys are itching to get out on the park."

At the World Cup, Scotland are in Pool A, along with New Zealand, England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia.

Scotland squad in UAE: Preston Mommsen (captain), Kyle Coetzer (vice-captain), Richie Berrington, Frederick Coleman, Matthew Cross, Joshua Davey, Alasdair Evans, Hamish Gardiner, Majid Haq, Michael Leask, Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Gavin Main, Safyaan Sharif, Robert Taylor, Iain Wardlaw.