By Kevin Hand

Scott will tour New Zealand with the England Lions

Middlesex wicketkeeper Ben Scott has been called up to the England Lions squad for the tour of New Zealand.

Scott, 27, averaged 41.5 with the bat last year in his most prolific season in the County Championship.

Middlesex chief executive Vinny Codrington told BBC London 94.9: "He thoroughly deserves it.

"We think he is the best wicketkeeper in the country. I don't think anybody is going to disabuse that notion when they see him play."

He added: "As far as Ben's concerned he's well aware that if he's going to make it he's got to get a few runs too."

Scott had struggled to hold down a first team place in Middlesex's championship side during the last two seasons as he failed to make big scores with the bat.

But an injury to his rival for the gloves, David Nash, saw him regain the role early in the 2008 season.

And Scott took his chance by continuing his prolific form with the gloves in limited over matches, including the success in the Twenty20 Cup and the Stanford Super Series in Antigua.

Codrington added: "He may well have been recognised partly because of Antigua and in the Twenty20 when he stands up to most fast bowlers, which is an extraordinary thing to watch actually because he's fantastic at it.

"When everyone watches him play I think they'll see that he's got a huge amount of talent."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version