Mark Watt: Scotland confidence high for international ODIs

Heriot's cricketer Mark Watt turns 21 next month '“ and he wants to give himself an early birthday present by putting in some good performances for Scotland over the next week.

Scotland's Mark Watt, left, celebrates a wicket with team-mate Preston Mommsen

Tomorrow and Tuesday the national team take on Namibia in World Cricket League fixtures at The Grange in the Capital before taking on Zimbabwe on Thursday and next Saturday in One Day Internationals at the same ground.

Watt played his part as Scotland defeated Sri Lanka last month in one of their best ever results in 50 over cricket and he believes the side go into this big run of fixtures on a high.

Scotland are fourth in the World Cricket League which is led by the Netherlands with 16 points from 10 matches. Scotland have 11 points from eight matches.

“We don’t get to play a lot of international cricket, so when it comes round we have to be ready for it and takes things to the opposition from ball one,” Watt said.

“I had a great winter playing abroad in Australia and it really helped me take my game on, especially my batting.

“When I came home the Scotland guys were all in good form and we took that into the Sri Lanka matches down in Kent.

“I was pleased to bowl well against Sri Lanka in the first match and to go on and defeat a top nation like that shows what we are all about.

“We lost the second match, but to draw with them 1-1 was a good result and now we have to play positive cricket against Namibia and Zimbabwe.

“For these Namibia matches it is great to have former Scotland captain Preston Mommsen back in the mix because he is a fabulous player who strengthens us. He has been plying some great cricket for Grange so far this season.

“In general there is great strength in depth and that can only help Scotland going forward because there are fringe players pushing us all the time for places and they keeps us on our toes.”

Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer added: “We know the importance of doing well in the World Cricket League, so the matches against Namibia are hugely important. We won’t be underestimating the dangerous Namibians.”

As well as Watt and Mommsen, Carlton skipper Ali Evans is in the squad to play Namibia as is Watsonians’ batsman George Munsey.

Squad to play Namibia: Kyle Coetzer (captain), Con de Lange (vice-captain), Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross, Alasdair Evans, Safyaan Sharif, Michael Leask, Preston Mommsen, Calum MacLeod, Mark Watt, George Munsey, Craig Wallace, Chris Sole.