HAVING made his Scotland debut just two years ago, Mark Watt may still be relatively new to the international stage. However, the Heriot’s bowling all-rounder already has an impressive list of achievements including 36 caps, 43 wickets and a highest score of 81no.
Throw in an appearance at a T20 World Cup and being a member of the Scotland team that earned an historic win over Sri Lanka this year and it is clear that Watt has done more than most 21-year-old cricketers.
Yet he believes he is still at the beginning of his sporting adventure and is seeking to learn and improve at every opportunity. That process has continued during the national side’s tour to Dubai where they have beaten Papua New Guinea in two ODIs before losing heavily to Ireland in the Intercontinental Cup.
The main event of the trip, though, is this week when Watt and his Scotland team-mates face Kenya in two crucial World Cricket League matches with a place at next year’s World Cup Qualifier up for grabs.
Left-arm spinner Watt said: “It’s been a tough trip so far and I’ve learned plenty already as I continue to develop my game both as a bowler and a batsman. The Ireland outcome was a disappointment but we will put that behind us as we return to 50-over cricket and these two vital matches against Kenya. I think we showed what a strong white-ball side we are with these convincing wins against PNG.”
In the build-up to Wednesday’s opener against Kenya, Watt will continue to soak up as much knowledge as he can from coach Grant Bradburn – himself a former international spinner – and senior colleagues.
“Grant and Con [de Lange, the team vice-captain] have both really contributed to get me up to the level an international spinner needs to be. I can only keep listening and taking in as much as I can from them.
“I’ve also been really knuckling down to work hard on my batting and it’s been great to have the likes of Kyle [Coetzer] and Calum [MacLeod] around to learn from. Even this week they were helping me with the sort of mindset you need to bat in the first-class format.”
That mentoring paid off as Watt top-scored with 43 against the Irish, albeit in a disappointing team performance. He will now focus on the next stage in his fledgling career and the enticing prospect of playing in the World Cup qualifying tournament to be staged in Zimbabwe in the spring.
One win against Kenya will be sufficient for the Scots and the portents are good since they have won the last four encounters between the sides in the 50-over format. Certainly, Watt is confident of a positive outcome.
“We know Kenya will be a tough side to beat because, let’s face it, there are no easy games in one-day cricket. but I’m sure if we play well we’ll come out on top,” he said.
The Scots, meanwhile, have a doubt over the availability of the experienced Richie Berrington who missed the I-Cup match due to a niggling elbow injury.
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