Scotland off to Papua New Guinea for three games

Scotland’s cricketers will break new ground next month when they play their first-ever matches in Papua New Guinea.

Grant Bradburn’s men face the Pacific Islanders in an Intercontinental Cup clash from 1-4 October before the sides square up in two crucial World Cricket League fixtures.

The action-starved Scots have played just one friendly match, against the MCC, since mid-june but Bradburn wants his players to build on their early summer success when they recorded wins against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Bradburn, pictured, said: “Despite not playing a lot of international cricket in 2017, beating two full [ICC] members was a major achievement that has given the players great confidence.

“Consistency of performance is not where we want it to be yet and is something we are very conscious of trying to improve overthenextthreemonths.

“The players are all very familiar now with their roles and the positive brand of cricket that as a team we want to bring. We are determined to bring that confidence and entertaining brand of cricket into the PNG games.”

Thescotslanguishahuge 52 points behind leaders Ireland in the eight-team I-cup table but are third in the WCL and have the chance to leapfrog their hosts when they meet in Port Moresby.

A top-four finish would secure a place in the qualifying tournament for the 2019 World Cup.

Scotland will warm-up for the PNG matches by facing Auckland Aces in two 50-over clashes on 24 and 26 September.