SCOTLAND’S cricketers will play their first games for 17 months next week – then sit at home for 10 days when they get back.

Shane Burger’s men travel to face the Netherlands in two one-day internationals, their first action since December 2019.

But unlike the country’s rugby and football stars, the Saltires won’t get elite exemption and will need to self-isolate on their return from Rotterdam.

Burger has named a strong 14-man squad, with Kyle Coetzer captaining and Richie Berrington his deputy.

And the head coach wants his players to shake off the rust after so long out.

He said: “We’ve had a really good block of training over the last six weeks.

“I’ve been impressed by how hard everyone has worked and the energy that we have in the squad at the moment.

“It’s just great to have cricket to look forward to. After such a long period without any matches it’s really important for the guys to get out there and play again. They’re absolutely raring to go.

“It’s the start of an important six months for us and I know we would like to go out and perform to the expectations that we have set ourselves and also play a brand of cricket that will excite our fans.”