IT may be the start of a new year but Scotland's cricketers are reaching the end of a long period of preparation for their participation in next month's World Cup.
The squad head to the UAE tomorrow where they will play four one-day internationals, two each against Afghanistan and Ireland. They return to Scotland for a few days then fly to Sydney for two official warm-up games before the campaign begins against co-hosts New Zealand in Dunedin on February 17.
This will be the third time a Scottish team have competed on cricket's biggest one-day stage after appearances in England in 1999 and West Indies eight years later. However, Grant Bradburn's side aim to make their own bit of history, as the Scots have yet to score a single victory in the contest. Indeed, a big-thinking Bradburn has set his sights on more than one win when his players lock horns with some of the finest teams in the world.
The New Zealander, who completed six months in charge on Hogmanay, said: "I've been really happy with our build-up to the World Cup. We have had an excellent programme and we're now entering the final mode of it. There is a nice buzz about the squad and the guys are itching to get back out on the park."
The preparations began by hosting the Netherlands and New Zealand A in the summer before going to Ireland for a short series.However, it was only during an autumn tour to Australia and New Zealand, with full player availability, that Bradburn saw the progress which has raised his levels of expectation.
"It was brilliant to finally get the full squad together and start to settle on individual roles while building the team culture," he said. "The guys have had a break since then to get refreshed and now we're all looking forward to getting back together."
Asked if his side have a chance to claim a psychological edge over Pool A rivals Afghanistan by beating them in Dubai on Thursday and again in Abu Dhabi on January 12, Bradburn's response was typically bullish.
"My personal view is that at this moment we should be looking beyond Associate cricket. I truly believe this young team can start flying and can be so much better than just Associate level. For me there is too much comparison with Afghanistan and Ireland. We are well aware of their ability and we respect them, but we want to be looking at the top 10."
That is, of course, a reference to the ICC's Full Member nations, five of which the Scots face at the World Cup and any one of whom Bradburn feels can be beaten.
"We are not targeting a specific team, but our aim is to win cricket matches - plural. We want to go to the World Cup and do what no other Scottish team have done by winning games and beating a top nation. Our goals are lofty but realistic. We have proved if we can put our best performance on the park we can achieve anything."
The 15-man World Cup squad will be announced on Wednesday.
Scotland's warm-up fixtures:
Jan 8: v Afghanistan (ICC Academy, Dubai)
Jan 12: v Ireland (Dubai International Stadium)
Jan 14: v Afganistan (Abu Dhabi)
Jan 19: v Ireland (ICC Academy, Dubai)
Feb 10: v Ireland (Sydney)
Feb 12: v West Indies (Sydney)
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