A team that is an associate nation has finally created history by qualifying for the Super Six Stage of the World Cup Qualifiers 2023. The Scotland Cricket team had first played a fixture back in 1985 against English County Club Surrey. But it was only in 1994 that they became an Associate Nation after applying for the same with ICC in 1992. Currently, Scotland has Qualified for the Super Six Stage in the World Cup 2023 Qualifiers & will now face the other five teams such as Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Oman & Netherlands who have also managed to qualify for the Super Six Stage.
Coming to the World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, a total of ten teams have participated in the tournament. The teams are divided into two groups, Sri Lanka, Scotland, Oman, Ireland & UAE form Group A while Zimbabwe, West Indies, Netherlands, Nepal & USA forms Group B. The top three teams of each group have progressed to the Super Six Stage & will now play three fixtures each with other teams in the other group. Coming to Scotland one of the Super Six Qualified teams, they are currently occupying the 12th spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Rankings. They have also played in the 1999, 2007 & 2015 editions of ODI World Cups & five T20 World Cup tournaments I.e. 2007, 2009, 2016, 2021, & 2022 editions of the marquee event. The Scottish Saltires have also played in each ICC Intercontinental Cup winning the inaugural edition of the World Cup in 2004.
When did Scotland Cricket was formed?
The Scotland Cricket Union was formed back in 1908 but underwent a major restructuring in 2001 & was finally named Scotland Cricket. The true revamp of Scotland Cricket happened when the nation was admitted to the Benson Hedges Cup tournament against the English counties in 1980. Back in 1992, Scotland applied to become an Independent Associate Member of the Nation. But in 1994, ICC granted Scotland the status of an associate nation. Competitive fixtures against England’s Counties continued until 2013. But now Scotland’s focus has shifted to International Tournaments as Scotland has appeared in the finals of various ICC tournaments.
League Cricket has been a part of Scotland’s Cricketing History since the 1980s with 20-weekend leagues being played every summer. In addition to this several indoor tournaments are being conducted during winters.
Scotland’s Journey as an Associate Nation
The Scottish Country first played a fixture as an associate nation back in 1865. But it was only in 1880 that International cricket began in Scotland with a visit of the Australian team to the country. Though teams continued their visit to Scotland it was only in the 1990s that the focus was shifted to International Cricket through European Championships.
Scotland put their feet into the ICC event back in 1997 when they first participated in an ICC Trophy tournament. The Scottish team managed to end the tournament in third place to qualify at their first attempt for the ICC Cricket World Cup, staged in the UK in 1999. It was the beginning of ICC’s success as in 2004 they won the inaugural ICC Intercontinental Cup for Associate Members and followed that in 2005 by winning the ICC Trophy in Ireland to qualify for the 2007 World Cup.
In the process, they also became the first ICC Member nation to acquire two senior trophies at the same time. In 2007, Scotland was runners-up in the inaugural ICC World Cricket League Division One tournament in Nairobi, which opened their doors for ICC t20 World Cup in 2007. Since then Scotland has qualified for several World Tournaments Finals maintaining their rank as one of the top Associate Nations. Later, Scotland created a strong development program increasing the number of matches in schools, clubs, and through festivals across the country increasing participation & providing pathways to competitive domestic cricket.
Scotland Cricket Team Records & Stats
Coming to the leadership of the Scotland team, Former South African Cricketer Douglas Watson is named as the Head Coach of the Scotland Men’s team. He replaced companion Shane Burger in 2023 as head Coach. Let’s have a look at Scotland Team’s Stats & Records:
- Scotland has played 149 ODI out of which the team has won 66 ODIs & lost 75 ODIs with a tie & abandoned 7 matches.
- Their highest team score is 371-5 against England on June 10, 2018, at the Grange Cricket Club, Edinburgh.
- Scotland’s star batter, Calum McLeod registered the highest score of 175 runs against Canada on January 27, 2014, at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
- The best individual score bowling figure for Scotland is recorded by Josh Davey with 6-28 against Afghanistan on January 14, 2015, at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
- Kyle Coetzer is the leading run-scorer for Scotland with 3,192 runs at an average of 38.92.
Scotland Current Squad:
Dylan Budge, Richie Berrington (C), Michael Jones, Christopher McBride, George Munsey, Chris Greaves, Brandon McMullen, Michael Leask, Tomas Mackintosh, Matthew Cross (VC/WK), Hamza Tahir, Craig Wallace, Adrian Neill, Mark Watt, Chris Sole, Safyaan Sharif.
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