Scottish bowlers heading to Australia

Record-breakers Alex Marshall and George Miller are among an 18-strong Scotland squad that will travel to the World Bowls Championships in Australia later this summer.

The team will feature 13 debutants as the tournament takes place for the first time since 2016, but there is plenty of medal-winning experience across the men’s, women’s and para events.

Marshall will be looking to add to his record seven World Championships gold medals when he competes in the triples alongside multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallists Paul Foster and Derek Oliver.

European gold medallist Jason Banks will join up with them in the fours and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Iain Mclean will compete in the singles as well as alongside Banks in the pairs.

Caroline Brown will spearhead the women’s squad as she looks to add to her 2012 triumph in the fours, alongside Stacey Mcdougall, with whom she won silver at the same Gold Coast venue in the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

The para disciplines will be included for the first time, and seven of Scotland’s eight gold medallists from last year’s Commonwealth Games will take part, with the only exception being Danny Porter.

The tournament takes place from August 29 to September 10.

● Men’s squad: Jason Banks (Inverurie), Paul Foster (Troon), Alex Marshall (Gifford), Iain Mclean (Blackwood Victoria), Derek Oliver (Cockenzie & Port Seaton).

● Women’s squad: Claire Anderson (Quarter), Carla Banks (Inverurie), Caroline Brown (Motherwell), Stacey Mcdougall (Dalkeith), Emma Mcintyre (Dumbarton).

● Para squad: Robert Barr (Hyndland), Garry Brown (Blackwood Victoria), Melanie Inness (Balerno), Rosemary Lenton (Crichton Royal), Danny Porter (Gala), Pauline Wilson (Willowbank), Sarah Jane Ewing (Abbeyview), George Miller (Saltcoats).