Hairs joins Scotland squad after Umeed injury

OLI Hairs has been called up to the Scotland cricket squad after opening batter Andy Umeed suffered a fractured finger.

Hairs hit a record-equalling 127 not out against Italy during last summer’s T20 World Cup qualifiers.

Umeed will miss the rest of Scotland’s tour of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the injury in the opening Cricket World Cup League 2 fixture against Canada when he was caught for eight on his one-day-international debut.

Umeed missed the victory over UAE on Sunday and Hairs will join up with the squad ahead of the final two CWCL2 games in the series and several T20 games against the hosts.

Scotland will continue their CWCL2 campaign at Forthill in Broughty Ferry in May.

Forfarshire’s ground has been selected to host six one-day internationals (ODIs) in the series between Scotland, Namibia and Oman, plus a T20 international between the hosts and Oman.

Paul Macari, Cricket Scotland head of operations and commercial, said: “The ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 gives us the opportunity to host international matches throughout the country at our ODI accredited grounds.

“Having held previous rounds of the series at Titwood, New

Cambusdoon and Mannofield, we are delighted to be able to host this year at Forthill and we look forward to offering local fans the opportunity to see Scotland’s men in action.”

Elaine Sim, president of Forfarshire CC, said: “There have been upgrades to the hub building and it’s been a real team effort, so to have these games at the start of the domestic season is just massive for us.”