ANOTHER quirk from Scotland’s seismic victory over Bangladesh on Sunday night was that the margin of victory – six runs – was the exact same as the win over England back in 2018.

If that 50-over triumph in Edinburgh three years ago had been previously held up as the pinnacle when it comes to the Saltires’ greatest ever feats, then beating the sixth-best team on the planet in a meaningful World Cup game ought to come close to surpassing it.

Michael Leask played in both but couldn’t be drawn on which is his personal highlight. The Aberdeenshire all-rounder did concede that Scotland had taken the long route to success against Bangladesh, recovering from a seemingly fatal batting collapse to eventually prosper.

What was prevalent in both games, however, was team spirit in abundance and the knowledge that anyone in the line-up could emerge to become a hero on the day.

On this occasion it was Chris Greaves, ably supported by Mark Watt, who grabbed the headlines on a day when many others, including Leask, failed to fire. But in tournament cricket, the next opportunity to play your part is always just around the corner.

“We did this one the hard way,” said the 30 year-old. “Every game is different and T20 poses its own challenges and I think we went the long way round for this one.

“But for me the way that the squad held together during the tough moments in this one shows how far we have come and that is the really, really exciting thing. When the chips were down Watty and Greavo batted well and gave us a fighting target and we knew once we had that, that we would have a chance. That showed how much spirit we have.

“On any given day somebody might go on and get big runs, somebody might take five wickets or do anything. And every member of this squad firmly believes that - looking around the dressing room - everybody can do it.

“Morale is amazing at the moment. You saw on Sunday on the park the way people are handling themselves around each other is amazing. We’re in a really good headspace at the moment and trying to continue that.”

There is something quite apt about two of Scotland’s leading bowlers working on deliveries during lockdown, Leask revealing that, like Greaves, he had turned his hand to gainful employment with a new daughter Ivy to support.

It is a far cry from the glamour of full member cricket but Leask believes it is what makes Associate cricket so special.

“Quite a few of the guys do part-time work alongside their cricket,” he added. “Chris has done delivery driving. I worked at a building supplies company also doing some delivery driving to help out, with the wee one now there as well.

“During lockdown it wasn’t easy. Chris had to find another job to help him at that time and he’s now reaping the rewards of that. It really helped him take his mind away from cricket and now he’s delivering for Scotland which is amazing to see.

“I wanted to do a little bit extra and not just sit at home during that time. Pretty much all of us had something going on at that time.

“I think that is what makes Associate cricket great and why Associate cricket is so tough. Every game, every wicket, and every run is fought for and that is the beauty of it.”

Leask won his 100th cap on Sunday on a night when captain Kyle Coetzer made his 200th appearance, with the all-rounder revealing that it was a privilege to share the moment with his long-standing friend and mentor.

“I’m absolutely honoured to have represented Scotland for 100 caps. It was always a dream just to get my first cap, let alone 100. I never thought this day would come.

“To make it alongside Kyle getting 200….I’ve played alongside him since I was four or five at the same club. I absolutely idolise the guy. And he epitomises what it means to be Scottish. If you watch him on the park you see his pride, passion and exactly what it means to wear the badge on the shirt. That flows through the team and each individual takes something from Kyle. It’s amazing to see what he’s done for Scottish sport.”

There will be greater expectation on Scotland to beat Papua New Guinea in today’s second group game but Leask warned against getting carried away.

“We’ve played PNG three or four times in the last month and had good success against them. But that means nothing going into this format. It’s now game time on the world stage so you never know what can happen on any given day. But we’re ready and raring to go and hopefully we can get another victory.”