Tom Bruce, the top-order New Zealand batter, has shifted his base to Scotland and will feature in the Cricket World Cup League 2 matches in the Canada leg, starting from August 27, for the new side. Having represented the development side of the country in 2016, he got the qualification to play due to his Edinburgh-born father.

Bruce later played domestic cricket for Central Districts in New Zealand since 2014 and represented the national side in 17 T20Is between 2017 and 2020, as his most recent appearance came at the Global Super League in Guyana during the T20 competition. Overall, the right-handed batter has clubbed 279 T20I runs in 17 innings at a strike rate of 122.36.

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“There's a long Scottish history within my family, and I know they will be incredibly proud that I am representing Scotland on the world stage. I've been fortunate enough to play for New Zealand five years ago, and I want to continue to showcase my skills on the world stage, and help the Scotland team achieve success, as I know the group is capable of achieving success and continuing to grow as a team.” The statement of Cricket Scotland, as Bruce quoted, says.  

New Zealand batter Tom Bruce switches to Scotland for World Cup League 2 matches

Bruce made a name for himself when he collected 223 runs at a strike rate of above 140 for CD during the 2015-16 Super Smash. Another good season in the following Super Smash saw him earn a contract in the Kiwi squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh. However, he couldn’t achieve the same success in international cricket as he did in the domestic games.

“I was involved briefly in the setup back in 2016, and it was an awesome experience. I played alongside and against a lot of the current group of Scotland players, and it's been great following their development through the years, and I'm looking forward to linking up with them again.” Bruce shed light.

Doug Wayson, the men’s head coach of the Scotland side, was excited to get Bruce into the team. “I'm very excited about Tom joining the group; not only is he a world-class cricketer, but he brings a whole range of experience; he's played a lot of 50-over and T20 cricket.”

Tom Bruce is set to embark on a new chapter in his cricket career, swapping New Zealand black for Scotland blue. The 34-year-old top-order batter will turn out for his new side later this month when Scotland compete in the Canada leg of the Cricket World Cup League 2, starting August 27.

Bruce qualifies through his Edinburgh-born father and is no stranger to the Scottish setup, having represented the Scotland Development side back in 2016 before pursuing his career in New Zealand. Since making his domestic debut for Central Districts in 2014, Bruce has been a key figure in New Zealand’s domestic scene and featured in 17 T20Is for the Black Caps between 2017 and 2020.

Bruce brings big-hitting form and experience to Scotland

Speaking to Cricket Scotland, Bruce said: “There’s a long Scottish history within my family and I know they will be incredibly proud that I am representing Scotland on the world stage. I was involved briefly in the set-up back in 2016, and it was an awesome experience. I’m looking forward to linking up with the group again and helping the team play consistent, quality cricket – and ultimately get us to a World Cup.”

Bruce first rose to prominence in the 2015–16 Super Smash, scoring 223 runs at a strike rate of 140.25. His powerful and inventive hitting earned him a New Zealand call-up for a T20I series against Bangladesh in January 2017. He announced himself with an unbeaten 59 in just his second game but couldn’t maintain that level, finishing with 279 runs at 122.36 in his international career. His final appearance came during New Zealand’s 5-0 home defeat to India in 2020.

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Since then, Bruce has cemented his reputation as a domestic stalwart. He captained Central Districts to the 2024–25 Super Smash title, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 339 runs at 56.50 (strike rate 157.67). He also shone in the Ford Trophy, scoring 431 runs at 43.40, and produced one of the innings of the season in the Plunket Shield – a colossal 345 against Auckland, the third-highest first-class score in New Zealand history.

Bruce joins Scotland squad for Canada leg of World Cup League 2 alongside Davey and Greaves

Scotland head coach Doug Watson is confident Bruce’s experience will be a major asset: “Not only is Tom a world-class cricketer, but he also brings a whole range of experience. He’s going to add massive value both on and off the field in the years ahead, and I’m sure he’ll fit in perfectly.”

Scotland’s head of performance, Steve Snell, echoed the excitement, revealing that talks with Bruce had been ongoing for some time: “He’s proud of his Scottish heritage and sees huge opportunities for both himself and the team moving forward.”

Also named in the squad are seamer Josh Davey, making his first appearance since the 2022 T20 World Cup, and spinner Chris Greaves, fresh from finishing joint third-highest wicket-taker in the ICC T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier.

Scotland will face Namibia and host Canada in four ODIs between August 29 and September 6 at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club in King City, near Toronto. For Bruce, it’s the beginning of a fresh international journey – and perhaps a second chance to make an impact on the global stage.