Scotland, on Sunday, showed what the traditional minnows in the game could achieve if opportunities are granted.
The one-off ODI between Scotland and England focussed more on helping the latter get in the mood for the ODI series against Australia. However, in the end, Scotland used it as an opportunity to send across a significant statement to the cricketing world.
Placed 13th in the ICC ODI team rankings, Scotland had their task cut out against the top-ranked England side. They were up against a side which had beaten Australia and New Zealand in their backyard not very long ago. However, all the past form and reputation went for a toss, as Scotland stunned their fancied opponents by six runs in a thriller.
Calum MacLeod’s superb 140 not out powered the non-Test nation Scotland to a record 371 for five. Openers Kyle Coetzer and Matthew Cross set up an ideal platform for the hosts with a century partnership in quick time. England managed to get rid of the openers in quick succession but Scotland soon recovered.
MacLeod first added 93 runs with Richie Berrington and then joined forces with George Munsey to take Scotland to a huge score. He brought up his fifty off 36 balls and then reached three-figures off 70 deliveries.
It was his seventh century in the format and first against England. He and Munsey stitched together a 107-run stand. Munsey departed after scoring 55, but MacLeod continued the assault, as Scotland registered their highest ever total in ODI cricket.
In reply, England came out all guns blazing. Jonny Bairstow set the tone for the chase by slamming 105 off 59 balls. England scored 107 runs off the first ten overs. The duo added 129 runs before Roy departed.
The hosts finally heaved a sigh of relief when Richie Berrington sent back Bairstow. Alex Hales scored a fifty to keep England on track, but a middle-order collapse did not help the team’s cause. Towards the end, Moeen Ali and Liam Plunkett played handy knocks but could not take England over the line.
The match ended with seven balls remaining when Saf Sharif had England No 11 Mark Wood plumb lbw to seal a famous victory.
The cricketing world has been going gaga over the associate nation since the win, and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar also expressed his views. The former India batsman took to Twitter to use the opportunity to say teams like Afghanistan, Ireland and Scotland should be given more opportunities, writing:
“Cricket has all the ingredients to become a global game. Teams with massive potential like Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland along with many others have to be given more opportunities to play against the more experienced teams. Best way to provide great exposure. #SCOvENG”
Cricket has all the ingredients to become a global game. Teams with massive potential like, Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland along with many others have to be given more opportunities to play against the more experienced teams. Best way to provide great exposure. #SCOvENG
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 10, 2018