Richie Berrington named Scotland's new captain

Scottish batter Richie Berrington has been named as the Scotland captain as Kyle Coetzer stepped down from the role a few days ago. Berrington was chosen to lead the team by the coaching staff after consultation with senior players and Cricket Scotland’s interim head of performance.

The 35-year-old, born in Pretoria, South Africa, is Scotland’s most capped player in T20Is and ODIs and was also Coetzer’s vice-captain on a few occasions. Both have been named in the team’s squad for the upcoming home tri-series with Nepal and Namibia, starting on July 10. The head coach of the team Shane Burger believes that he is the right person for the role. 

“His stature not only in the Scottish game but world cricket makes him a fitting appointment,” Burger was quoted as saying by the BBC. “We have a leader in Richie that everyone can be proud of.”

I have learned a lot under Coetzer’s leadership: Richie Berrington

Berrington was part of the 2006 Under-19 World Cup squad held in Sri Lanka and the 2015 World Cup in Australia. He made his international debut in July 2008 against Ireland in Aberdeen and has appeared in 92 ODIs and 74 T20Is ever since. He has scored 4,189 runs across the two formats at an average close to 32 in 154 innings and picked up 60 wickets in 98 innings. 

Berrington has the ongoing record of playing the most consecutive matches for a team in T20Is with 92 at present, which has begun in 2010. He stands fourth in the list of most runs scored in a series with 814 runs in 19 innings in the ongoing ICC Men’s World Cup League 2.

“We’ve had a fantastic leader in Kyle, who has been a great ambassador for our sport and I have learnt a lot under his leadership,” said Berrington. “I feel incredibly honoured and privileged to lead this team and represent my country. Having come through the Scottish system from a young age, I’m very proud to take on the role of men’s captain.” For the upcoming tri-series, Matthew Cross will be Berrington’s deputy.