Scotland Preview

Cricket in Scotland has a long and distinguished history, supplying many players to the County Championship, and producing a number of test cricketers, including at least 2 England captains. Their success in the 1997 ICC Trophy, however, has taken Scottish cricket onto the world stage, after a 3rd place finish ensured their first appearance at the World Cup.

Group B includes New Zealand, West Indies, Bangladesh, Australia and Pakistan, and the Scots will be playing two home matches with New Zealand and Bangladesh visiting Edinburgh for the first World Cup matches played on Scots soil. The Scots lost to Bangladesh in the semi-final of the ICC trophy, but handed them two defeats when they toured Scotland last year. They will feel confident of securing a World Cup win against opponents unused to local conditions.

They are likely to struggle in their other matches against strong and experienced international sides. Last summer they were well beaten at home by Australia A, but also saw their first victory in the Nat-West trophy when they beat Worcestershire.

The Scots will be bolstered by the presence of fine young all-rounder Gavin Hamilton, who made such an impression for Yorkshire in 1998 that he was included in both the England and Scottish World Cup squads. He is likely to be opening the bowling, partnered by John Blain, the only other player currently playing first-class cricket, and the batting will be led by captain George Salmond.

Scotland will be seeing the World Cup as a stepping stone towards full one day international status, and will be pleased to perform respectably in their games. They are unlikely to cause an upset against the full member teams, but many pick them to finish 5th by beating Bangladesh.

Statistics

• Team World Cup Records
• Team One-Day International Records
• Scotland Statistics