Tartan grit covers team shortfalls
Scotland were perhaps not expected to be as competitive as Ireland and Afghanistan at the World Cup but their performances were far more encouraging than the end result suggests
Brydon Coverdale
14-Mar-2015
How their tournament panned out
Three campaigns, 14 matches, 14 losses. Scotland's record at World Cups does not make for pretty reading. But their efforts in 2015 have been far more encouraging than their results suggest. A team full of fringe county players and modestly-paid Scottish professionals have competed well, and rarely have been embarrassed. There have been individual moments of brilliance and strong campaigns from several players, including batsman Kyle Coetzer, seamer Josh Davey and wicketkeeper Matthew Cross. All that was missing was the ability to put it all together in one match and record that elusive maiden World Cup victory. A comprehensive defeat at the hands of Australia in their final match was not reflective of Scotland's campaign.
Three campaigns, 14 matches, 14 losses. Scotland's record at World Cups does not make for pretty reading. But their efforts in 2015 have been far more encouraging than their results suggest. A team full of fringe county players and modestly-paid Scottish professionals have competed well, and rarely have been embarrassed. There have been individual moments of brilliance and strong campaigns from several players, including batsman Kyle Coetzer, seamer Josh Davey and wicketkeeper Matthew Cross. All that was missing was the ability to put it all together in one match and record that elusive maiden World Cup victory. A comprehensive defeat at the hands of Australia in their final match was not reflective of Scotland's campaign.
The high point
Two on-field efforts stand out. The first was the finest piece of wicketkeeping of the tournament. Standing up to the 125kph offerings of Davey against England in Christchurch, Cross made a snappy take to a half-volley near the wide line outside off stump. That glovework was nifty, but his effort to move back across to the stumps and whip the bails off with James Taylor just out of his ground was outstanding. In a World Cup full of batsmen-wicketkeepers, Cross might just about be the best gloveman. Scotland's other high point was the 156 struck by Coetzer off 134 balls against Bangladesh in Nelson. It was an innings that showed Scotland's batsmen can go big.
Two on-field efforts stand out. The first was the finest piece of wicketkeeping of the tournament. Standing up to the 125kph offerings of Davey against England in Christchurch, Cross made a snappy take to a half-volley near the wide line outside off stump. That glovework was nifty, but his effort to move back across to the stumps and whip the bails off with James Taylor just out of his ground was outstanding. In a World Cup full of batsmen-wicketkeepers, Cross might just about be the best gloveman. Scotland's other high point was the 156 struck by Coetzer off 134 balls against Bangladesh in Nelson. It was an innings that showed Scotland's batsmen can go big.
And the low
Scotland have never won a World Cup match and their best chance came against Afghanistan in Dunedin. Chasing 211, Afghanistan were 192 for 9 and needed 19 off 19 balls, but Scotland were unable to get the one wicket they needed and suffered a loss that must have hurt more than any others in the tournament. Perhaps the key moment came when Majid Haq at first slip missed a simple chance when Samiullah Shenwari had 20; he went on to score 96. Majid was also at the centre of Scotland's off-field low point. After being dropped for the match against Sri Lanka in Hobart, he tweeted: "Always tougher when you're in the minority! #colour #race". Although he took the tweet down, he was sent home for disciplinary reasons.
Scotland have never won a World Cup match and their best chance came against Afghanistan in Dunedin. Chasing 211, Afghanistan were 192 for 9 and needed 19 off 19 balls, but Scotland were unable to get the one wicket they needed and suffered a loss that must have hurt more than any others in the tournament. Perhaps the key moment came when Majid Haq at first slip missed a simple chance when Samiullah Shenwari had 20; he went on to score 96. Majid was also at the centre of Scotland's off-field low point. After being dropped for the match against Sri Lanka in Hobart, he tweeted: "Always tougher when you're in the minority! #colour #race". Although he took the tweet down, he was sent home for disciplinary reasons.
Top of the class
Towards the end of the tournament, Davey was briefly the leading wicket taker in the World Cup. That Davey, a bowler from an Associate nation, finished with 15 victims, equal second behind Mitchell Starc, was an achievement that cannot be underestimated. Bowling around the 120-130kph region, Davey just kept nagging away and finding ways to get batsmen out.
Towards the end of the tournament, Davey was briefly the leading wicket taker in the World Cup. That Davey, a bowler from an Associate nation, finished with 15 victims, equal second behind Mitchell Starc, was an achievement that cannot be underestimated. Bowling around the 120-130kph region, Davey just kept nagging away and finding ways to get batsmen out.
What we learnt about Scotland
Ireland and Afghanistan were expected to be competitive in this World Cup, Scotland and the UAE perhaps not so much. But rarely throughout this campaign were Scotland embarrassed, and several times they were in positions from which, had a couple more things gone their way, victory could have been achieved. They got within three wickets of New Zealand, one of Afghanistan, scored 318 against Bangladesh - in other words, we learnt that Scotland are competitive at this level.
Ireland and Afghanistan were expected to be competitive in this World Cup, Scotland and the UAE perhaps not so much. But rarely throughout this campaign were Scotland embarrassed, and several times they were in positions from which, had a couple more things gone their way, victory could have been achieved. They got within three wickets of New Zealand, one of Afghanistan, scored 318 against Bangladesh - in other words, we learnt that Scotland are competitive at this level.
What they learnt from the World Cup
Whatever XI they went in with, Scotland always seemed short a quality bowler. Davey was excellent but the depth of their attack was at times shown up. Their batsmen stood up well in the face of some challenging situations, but never did the batting, bowling and fielding really click in one match. Against Afghanistan in particular they learnt that winning from a winning position is not a fait accomplis, and the advantage must be pressed home.
Whatever XI they went in with, Scotland always seemed short a quality bowler. Davey was excellent but the depth of their attack was at times shown up. Their batsmen stood up well in the face of some challenging situations, but never did the batting, bowling and fielding really click in one match. Against Afghanistan in particular they learnt that winning from a winning position is not a fait accomplis, and the advantage must be pressed home.
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @brydoncoverdale