Coetzer can’t contemplate Scotland slip-up at start of vital Kenya double header

Confident Kyle Coetzer insists failure to reach next year’s World Cup Qualifier is not an option for his Scotland side.

The Scots must beat Kenya at the Dubai International Stadium today to secure their place in the lucrative event in Zimbabwe.

Defeat would still leave them with a second chance when the sides meet again on Friday, but captain Coetzer is aiming to get the job done at the first time of asking.

He said: “With so much at stake we simply can’t consider to slip up.

“It’s frustrating that we still require a win from our final round of matches because we’ve had chances to get the job done before now.

“We’re determined not just to get one win against Kenya but to win both matches.

“Two wins gives us a chance to finish top of the table if other results go our way, but making sure we finish in the top four is realistically our priority.”

Defeats by Namibia and Papua New Guinea earlier in their World Cricket League campaign appear to have cost Scotland the chance to win the title and with it a place in the ICC’S new ODI League.

They now need an improbable sequence of results to go in their favour, but Coetzer added: “Every game in Associate cricket has huge importance in terms of attempting to reach global tournaments and earn extra funding to continually develop the game in Scotland.

“We have played some good cricket in 2017 and will be looking for this to continue during the next two games against a dangerous Kenyan side.”

Despite a heavy Intercontinental Cup defeat by Ireland last week, the Scots are in high spirits after winning their last two matches in the 50-over format.

They have also won their last four encounters with Kenya in this format.

Richie Berrington is expected to be fit to bolster the middle order batting after missing the I-cup match.