Wardlaw honoured by call-up to Scots’ squad

Iain Wardlaw has been included in Scotlands 15-man squad for the forthcoming Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The 29-year-old helped Scotland qualify for the World Cup last year but the final squad was not announced until last Friday.

Wardlaw is currently in the UAE with the Scotland squad, who are playing World Cup warm-up games against Afghanistan and Ireland but took to Twitter following the announcement.

Wardlaw tweeted: “What an honour to be selected to play in the #CWC15 for @CricketScotland cannot wait!”

Scotland start their World Cup Group A campaign on February 17 against co-hosts New Zealand, in what is now a sold-out fixture, in Dunedin.

Head coach Grant Bradburn told the Cricket Scotland website: “It is great to announce our squad for the Cricket World Cup, and it is a fantastic achievement for the players to be named in the final 15. They have all worked hard over a long period of time, as they continue to do out here in Dubai during the current Tri Series.

“There is so much natural ability in this squad and we go to the World Cup aiming to do what no other (Scotland) squad has done before and win games of cricket.”

Wardlaw opened the bowling in Scotland’s warm-up match against Ireland on Monday and claimed 2-45 from his 10 overs as they slipped to an eight-wicket defeat.

Wardlaw was part of the successful Cleckheaton team who retained the JCT600 Bradford League Division One title last summer.

The Dewsbury-born fast bowler will return from the World Cup to spearhead the Moorenders’ bowling attack as they bid to clinch a hat-trick of league titles.

Cleckheaton have been drawn away to York Senior League champions Woodhouse Grange in the first round of this season’s Black Sheep Yorkshire Champions Trophy.

The tie must be played on or before Sunday May 14 and a cracking semi-final clash awaits the winners, who will be at home to holders Elsecar or Central Yorkshire League champions Methley.

First round draw: Hoylandswaine v Yorkshire Academy, Elsecar v Methley, Otley v Treeton, Woodhouse Grange v Cleckheaton.

Semi-finals: Otley or Treeton v Hoylandswaine or Yorkshire Academy , Woodhouse Grange or Cleckheaton v Elsecar or Methley .The Heavy Woollen Cup first round draw takes place on Monday evening.