Hurt of Dunedin spurring us on, Says Bradburn

"We were absolutely gutted not to get over the line in Dunedin," coach Grant Bradburn reflects. "We either dwell on what might have been or we just line up with a harder resolve."

Wednesday evening represents Scotland's last realistic chance of recording a win in the 2015 World Cup and, in their third tournament, finally registering a World Cup win. "We understand that Bangladesh are the lowest ranked of the teams that we've got to play," Bradburn says. After the game at Nelson, only fixtures with Sri Lanka and Australia remain in Scotland's 2015 World Cup campaign.

Bradburn, who has shown verve in his ten months as coach, is not the sort to countenance despair. "There's been parts of our game we've been very pleased with," he says. "The beauty of being here is we've had a great opportunity just to see where the skill bar is in international cricket. We've gutted that we haven't had a win yet - we've come here believing that we can win games of cricket."

There is an argument to be made that Scotland's bowling attack, which claimed seven New Zealand wickets defending 142 and then reduced Afghanistan to 97-7 in Dunedin, has performed above expectations. "The bowling attack has shown a huge amount of character in the way they've kept us in all three games so far," Bradburn says.

And Preston Mommsen, who was appointed full-time captain after stepping in magnificently for Kyle Coetzer in the World Cup Qualifiers a year ago, has again shown himself to be an admirable leader of the side. Even with a bowling attack lacking in raw pace or mystery spin, Mommsen has not been averse to attacking. Against England, he only used two fielders (one fewer than permitted) outside the circle during the Batting Powerplay.

"If there's one shining light for us it's been Preston Mommsen who's been outstanding in the way he's been so positive on the field," Bradburn purrs. "And I don't know any captain who has spoken better off the field either."

Perhaps Mommsen's only fault has been in his batting. A golden duck against New Zealand has been followed by scored of 26 and 23 against England and Afghanistan - part of a unfortunate trend of promising starts being frittered away. Six players were dismissed for between 23 and 31 against Afghanistan.

"That's something we've addressed and spoken about. We talk a lot about taking responsibility if you're lucky enough to get a start," Bradburn says. "We have a wonderful group of free-flowing batsmen who have the ability to take any attack apart. We feel that our batting is potentially our strength."

There is always the sense that Calum MacLeod's batting has a disproportionate impact upon Scotland, such is his totemic value to the side. MacLeod hit four international hundreds in 2014, but his start to 2015 has been abject: nine runs in six ODIs, including just four in three World Cup innings. Yet Bradburn rejects the notion that his place - or even his position as opener - could be under threat.

"The last thing we're going to do after a couple of losses is to go making wholesale changes either in selection or batting positions," he says. "Calum's a wonderfully skilled player - he can do things that most normal batsmen can't do. We're encouraging him just to keep believing in his skills and do it his way."

It is Bradburn's assertion, which no Scot would dispute, that MacLeod "often either gets not many or if he gets in he gets a lot."

At the Saxton Oval, a boutique, pint-sized ground, the consequences of MacLeod making up for lost time in this World Cup could be devastating. Nelson has already been turned green when Ireland dispatched of the West Indies. Now Scotland will dream of turning it Saltire blue: a result that could resonate far beyond this idyllic embodiment of small-town New Zealand.

"People are loving the fact that the associates are standing up and competing," Bradburn says. "We would love nothing more than for the ICC to think hard and reconsider the prospects of a 10-team World Cup."