PROUD Preston Mommsen last night revealed his surprise after being named Saltires skipper for tomorrow’s (Sun) clash with Somerset.

The Scots travel to Taunton for their latest CB40 encounter without regular captain Gordon Drummond who has work commitments.

And Mommsen, the South African-born Carlton batsman, will lead the side for the first time.

He said: “I was told on Wednesday and, to be honest, the news came as a shock.

“But it is also a great honour to be given the chance to lead my country and to be seen as a leader of this group of players.

“I’ve been lucky enough to work closely with Drummo and with Fraser (Watts, the Carlton captain) and have learned a lot from them.

“I certainly won’t be re-inventing the wheel.”

Mommsen faces a daunting task on a ground where the Saltires leaked a record 403-3 on their last visit.

However, he added: “I’m looking forward to the challenge. Taunton is always a ground that favours the batting side and we will obviously have plans for how to get at their batsmen.

“But we have to look on this game as an opportunity for our own batsmen to score heavily and we have guys who are capable of doing that.”

South African professional Jan Symes, ineligible for Thursday’s ODI against Canada, returns to the squad while Watsonians batsman Ewan Chalmers replaces Kyle Coetzer who has returned to Northants.

There is also a place for young Arbroath all-rounder Calvin Burnett in the 13-man squad.

The Saltires are bidding for their second win of the campaign.

Squad: P Mommsen capt, C MacLeod, R Flannigan, J Davey, J Symes, R Berrington, J Stander, C Wallace, M Haq, G Goudie, A Evans, E Chalmers, C Burnett.