PETE Steindl last night backed Scotland to secure the wins they need to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The Scots face two must-win games against Kenya at Mannofield, Aberdeen, on Sunday and next Tuesday and, despite the Saltires having lost all seven YB40 matches they have completed, Steindl believes he has packed his squad with players from both sides of the border who are hitting prime form at the right time.
Kyle Coetzer, the captain who hit a record-breaking double century for Northamptonshire last week, scored 105 not out with 11 4s and two 6s from 110 balls as his county cruised to a YB40 win over Worcestershire yesterday, while Matt Machan, Rob Taylor and David Murphy have also been in the runs for their counties and Ian Wardlaw, the Yorkshire pace bowler, took three wickets on his last outing
"It's great to have a full squad to choose from and we've gone with a squad that gives us lots of options," said Steindl. "The great thing is that so many of the players have been turning in good performances. It's not just the county guys because Preston [Mommsen], Freddie [Coleman] and Calum [MacLeod] have scored runs for the Saltires in YB40 games."
Steindl's men share third place with Afghanistan in the eight-team table from which two will qualify for the global tournament in 2015. They are three points behind Netherlands and five adrift of the favourites Ireland, but Kenya and United Arab Emirates are also still in the hunt, both a point behind Scotland.
Failure to finish in the top two would leave the Scots facing a further qualifying tournament in New Zealand early next year where the final two places will be settled. Steindl acknowledged the threat his team face, adding: "Kenya are a side on the up and have had some good recent results in 50-over cricket."
Scotland's side to meet the Kenyans in an Intercontinental Cup game from July 7-10 will feature seven changes from the one-day international line-up. Coetzer and five other England-based players will be recalled by their counties, while Gordon Drummond is unavailable. Ali Evans, the Derbyshire fast bowler, and the Middlesex all-rounder Josh Davey will take part in the four-day encounter.
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