Thursday 8 May 2014 15:22, UK
England could hand a debut to Harry Gurney when they face Scotland in a one-day international in Aberdeen on Friday.
The 25-year-old seamer is the only uncapped player in a 13-man squad which has been named for England’s first contest of the summer season.
The match marks the start of a new era for the national side, who are trying to rebuild following a dismal winter which included a 5-0 defeat in the Ashes.
Team director Andy Flower and limited-overs coach Ashley Giles left their positions since the dismal tour Down Under, which was followed by an early exit from the ICC World Twenty20.
Peter Moores has returned for his second spell as coach and his first squad includes Gurney, who toured the West Indies earlier this year but did not make an appearance.
“It would mean the world; it would be the best day of my life,” Gurney told the ECB’s official website about his potential debut.
“Over in the West Indies, I didn’t quite get selected and that was frustrating, but I still loved every second of it. I came back hungry for more. Hopefully I get my chance on Friday and it would be a proud day for me and my family.
“It will be a great feeling of pride and maybe a few butterflies as well.”
England and Scotland have faced each other in just three one-day internationals before, two of those being ruined by rain and the other resulting in an England victory.
Gurney added: “If you were to ask the bookies, I guess we would be heavy favourites. But you have to go into any fixture and bowl and bat as well as you can. If you don’t do that, you can get caught out.
“Whatever the XI is, they will be going out there giving 100 per cent to get a win for England.”
James Anderson is set to lead the bowling attack, the 31-year-old having been out of the ODI setup since the ICC Champions Trophy final in June 2013.
Joe Root should also make a comeback after missing the World Twenty20 with a broken thumb. In-form batsman Gary Balance, all-rounder Moeen Ali and paceman Chris Jordan could all play after representing England for various lengths of time over the winter.
It would mean the world; it would be the best day of my life.
Scotland will be captained by Kyle Coetzer, who was born in Aberdeen and averages an impressive 47.85 with the bat in one-day internationals.
Batsman Richie Berrington is absent due to injury, while bowlers Alasdair Evans and Josh Davey have been given call-ups.
Scotland squad: Kyle Coetzer (capt), Freddie Coleman, Matty Cross, Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, Majid Haq, Michael Leask, Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Preston Mommsen, Safyaan Sharif, Rob Taylor, Iain Wardlaw.
England squad: Alastair Cook (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler, Harry Gurney, Chris Jordan, Eoin Morgan, Joe Root, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.
England's game against Scotland is live on Sky Sports 2HD from 10am on Friday.
