Scotland have left their own metaphorical Brobdingnag and will today alight in Lilliput. Towered over by some of cricket’s behemoths in the recent 50-over World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe – when they came agonisingly close to reaching the finals – the roles will be reversed in Edinburgh over the next week at the qualifying event for next summer’s T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
This time it is Scotland who will be the giants among some of cricket’s lesser forces, favourites for once in a tournament that also includes Austria, Denmark, Italy, Germany and Jersey.
With two places up for grabs, it would register as one of the biggest shocks of recent times if the Scots and old adversaries Ireland somehow stumbled and did not get over the line.
Complacency and the unreliable summer weather are likely to be Scotland’s two greatest foes but, wisely, they are taking nothing for granted. Having caused a shock or two themselves against some of the game’s leading lights over the past month, Richie Berrington’s side will not want to be on the end of something similar, especially in front of an expectant home crowd.
“The boys are looking forward to the tournament ahead and it’s another great opportunity for us,” said captain Berrington. “There are a few unknowns with a couple of the teams we’ve not played before but in terms of our mentality it doesn’t really change. We’ll still plan and prepare just like we would for any other tournament, especially one like this when you’ve got a lot of games in a short period of time.
“With some of the teams it may be harder to get as much video footage as we would normally have for sides we play more often. But we’ll plan ahead as much as we can and try to get as much information to make sure we’re as prepared as we can be. This is another great opportunity to get to another World Cup and that’s the aim.”
Only 16 days have passed since Scotland were denied a place at the 50-over version by the cruellest and slenderest of margins, beaten by the Netherlands in what effectively became a winner-takes-all showdown. The disappointment at coming so close but still falling short understandably still lingers among the group despite a fortnight’s respite but, from a positive point of view, the lack of a break means the Scots can carry that good form from one tournament straight into another, starting with Germany at Goldenacre this afternoon.
“It’s a quick turn-around for us but that’s probably a good thing as well,” adds Berrington. “Obviously it was a tough way to end that tournament but there were definitely a lot of positives to take from it. We’ve got a lot of different guys in good form, players who put their hand up to perform at different times. That’s definitely a good sign, especially with the younger ones who came in and did well. Hopefully we can now take some of that form into the T20s.”
Interim head coach Doug Watson has made just three changes from the 50-over squad to reflect the transition into the shorter form of the game. While Gavin Main and Oli Hairs are no strangers to the set-up, it is the prospect of a first cap for Brad Currie, the left-arm seam bowler, that provides the greatest intrigue.
“It’s exciting to have Brad back involved with the squad,” adds Berrington. “It’s been a little while since he’s been with us but he’s really worked hard and developed from playing down south. It will be good to see how he goes. It also offers you something different with the left-arm option, a different angle of attack.”
A landmark moment will likely arrive for Berrington in tomorrow’s game against Jersey when he should become the first Scotland player to win 300 caps. In typically modest fashion the captain is eager not to make too much of a fuss about it.
“Personal numbers aren’t really something I keep too close an eye on,” he admits. “But it will be a special milestone if I can get there. It’s always an honour and a privilege to represent Scotland.”
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