MATTHEW Cross was in a hurry as Scotland raced to a nine-wicket victory over Nepal on Saturday – and then drove straight across the border in the hope of reigniting his county career.
The former Aberdeenshire wicketkeeper/batsman took just 37 deliveries to reach 51 not out as the Scots knocked off the additional 95 runs needed after the match had been delayed by heavy rain on Friday evening.
Cross had excellent support from George Munsey (40no) as Scotland completed the double over Nepal to go joint top of the World Cricket League table. But Cross had little time to savour his and his country's success before heading south.
He said: "It was important to get the points on the board and were delighted because obviously with the rain around there was a chance we wouldn't get the two games completed. But thankfully we did and we've got the four points we wanted.
"For me it was nice to get runs but the victory was really set up by the bowlers who were outstanding on Friday."
Cross had been in outstanding form all summer, warming to his new No.3 role with a string of hard-hitting performances in the recent World T20 Qualifier. However, Saturday was his biggest score of the season and the player added: "I've been in good form and not made the most of my starts so I'm pretty pleased to get the team over the line with a 50."
The 22 year-old was released by Notts at the end of last season but has not lost his hunger for plying his trade in England. "I don't know precisely what the future holds – I wish I did – but I'm going straight back down tonight. I have a few people to speak to before finding out where I'll be playing but hopefully counties have been watching my performances in the T20 qualifier. But I still have to go out and play well when I'm on trial."
Scotland will not rest on their laurels despite having completed the double over Nepal. They were pushed hard in the first match, scraping home by three runs, before producing a much more dominant performance at the weekend.
Skipper Preston Mommsen said: "We're delighted with the two wins. especially since there were a handful of players missing and that shows the strength we are developing. But there are still huge amounts we need to work on, particularly the fielding aspect which was below par in these two games, and it also let us down in the T20 Qualifier against the Dutch. That's something we need to address to make sure we improve."
The Scots will get the chance to avenge their T20 defeat to the Dutch when they head to Amstelveen next month for a World Cricket League top-of-the-table double header. Mommsen said: "They will be crucial games against a strong Dutch team so we will have to be at our best."
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