Marcus Scotland received the ideal birthday gift a day after turning 21 when he was called up to the Bermuda cricket team for the first time

Scotland, a wicketkeeper-batsman, will be part of the squad at the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League play-off in Malaysia next month, and is yearning to acquire as much knowledge as possible from the experienced members of the Bermuda team.

“It feels great to be called up and I'm excited to be a part of the team,’’ Scotland said.

“There is a lot of experience so I'm looking forward to hopefully being a part of the squad that wins and also to learn from a lot of the guys.

“As an individual, I want to grow as a player with my own on-the-field performances if that opportunity presents itself.

“We've got Kamau [Leverock ] who has played in several franchise tournaments and Delray [Rawlins] has obviously been a professional, so I'll learn a lot. A good percentage of this team has played for Bermuda for eight to ten years minimum, so that’s what excites me about being part of the squad.”

Scotland, who plays for Newport Cricket Club and the Cardiff Metropolitan University team, is one of three changes from the Bermuda squad that fell short in trying to qualify for this year’s T20 World Cup, with Chris Douglas and Chare Smith also drafted in.

While the youngster has experience as a wicketkeeper, his inclusion is solely based on his ability with the bat and, while he faces plenty of strong opposition in his attempt to get into the side, he is confident in his own ability.

“I think I can provide an option as a batsman,” Scotland said.

“I haven't been chosen as a wicketkeeper and I'm very pleased to know that Sinny [Sinclair Smith] and Jarryd [Richardson] are going to be the keepers on the tour.

“Those two are very good, but I think I can bat if needed. Wherever the team needs me, that’s the position I'd love to fit in.”

It was his close friend Richardson that informed Scotland of his inclusion with the team who will be flying out to India on February 8 for a ten-day training camp before heading on to Malaysia.

“I received the news through Jarryd actually,’’ Scotland said. “He called me and let me know as I wasn't listening to the radio or following on social media.

“I've played sport with, and against, Jarryd as early as I can remember. We've played cricket and football together.”

Scotland was only 4 when Bermuda last appeared at a senior World Cup in 2007 and is aware of the significance of the play-off in Malaysia, with that competition on the pathway for the 2027 tournament, which will be hosted by Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

“Doing well in this tournament, doing whatever is necessary and taking that next step towards qualification is very important,’’ Scotland told The Royal Gazette.

“It all starts from here and I'm excited to be a part of the squad.”

The young cricketer, who is in his final year studying economics at Cardiff Metropolitan University, got his first taste of Cup Match last year as a reserve for St George’s and got the chance to compete in Bermuda’s biggest cricket match when he became the first substitute wicketkeeper in the game’s history after coming in for the injured Sinclair Smith.

While Cup Match clashes with his cricket in the UK, Scotland is keen to again make himself available and to play for St David’s in the Eastern Counties Cup.

“Being a part of such a big event was amazing,’’ Scotland said.

“My whole family is St George’s. Reserve, main team, whatever position I'm, when it involves St George’s Cup Match team, my family would be incredibly proud of me.

“I did get a few moments out on the field and I couldn't have experienced a better feeling as my first taste of Cup Match. It was unfortunate not to win, but in terms of just the pure enjoyment of it, it was amazing.

“My plan is to be around before the final trials so I can play a few games. That’s not confirmed as I have university games and club cricket out here, but that makes it difficult picking when it’s the best time to come home.

“Playing Cup Match final trials is very important. That gives me a chance to be selected, and also Eastern Counties for St David’s is just as equally as important for me.”

Scotland feels indebted to the Ace Programme, which was launched by Surrey County Cricket Club in January 2020 in response to the decline of Black British professional players, with the initiative designed to engage young people of African and Caribbean heritage to get involved in cricket.

“I'm grateful to be part of the Ace Programme,’’ he added. “We train often and play against some county academy teams.

“I've been training at their Bristol branch. They have helped me a lot with the coaching and the training and that has really improved my cricket.”