Bring the Bangladesh boys on, say Scots (23 May 1999)

23 May 1999

Bring the Bangladesh boys on, say Scots

Keith Graham

The raw statistics of Scotland's first, bold adventure in cricket's World Cup - played two, lost two - do not tell anything like the full story.

In facing first Australia in the shadow of Worcester's cathedral, the bells of which were largely drowned out by the Tartan Army, and then Pakistan at Chester-le-Street, Scotland's collection of teachers, solicitors, students, estate agents and sales reps faced a baptism of fire as one of the minnows of the tournament, along with Bangladesh and Kenya.

Though Scotland have registered three wins in the foothills of professional cricket since they were granted entry to the Benson & Hedges and NatWest knockout competitions in 1980, here they have faced a veritable Eiger.

No surprises, then, about the outcome of those first memorable meetings with Australia and Pakistan. But tomorrow's game against Bangladesh, on their home soil of Edinburgh, represents a kind of cup final, a showdown between two of the game's lesser mortals. Such has been the strength of character of Scotland's performances against co-favourites Australia and Pakistan, that now it is a case of 'bring on the next lot, whoever they are'.

The pride with which the Scots have responded to adversity has endeared them even to the English fans. At Worcester, the spirited performance of the team (rather than the Tartan Army) won over the neutrals. When Mike Allingham plunged to take what may turn out to be the catch of the tournament at New Road to dismiss Ricky Ponting, the whole crowd went wild - the English supporting the Scots!

It was the same at Chester-le-Street as the Scottish bowlers made vital inroads into Pakistan's early batting, and later when Gavin Hamilton, in recording the first Scottish half-century in the World Cup, counter-attacked and swung Saqlain Mushtaq twice over the ropes. On both occasions, the crowds were enthused by Scotland's fielding which was considerably better than that of their illustrious opponents, a fact warmly acknowledged by Steve Waugh and Wasim Akram.

Scotland, make no mistake, have competed with the best. After a difficult day against Pakistan where Wasim Akram launched a vicious late assault on the Scottish bowling and the fastest bowler in the world, Shoaib Akhtar, blasted out their top order, the Scots had restored pride, a fact strongly underlined by captain George Salmond, with their fighting recovery.

But alongside that feeling of pride also lingered a degree of resentment. The Scots had reluctantly entered the record books by conceding a record 59 extras - 33 of them wides. They felt, justifiably, that the umpires were unduly harsh, punishing the bowlers for balls which started straight but then either swung or seamed violently. Scotland's bowling coach Graham Dilley, was outspoken in his criticism of the umpires Messrs Cowie of New Zealand and Robinson of Zimbabwe - who he believed were, in the conditions, utterly unjustified in calling so many wides.

The Scots might also reflect that two other decisions were dubious. The ball that trapped veteran Iain Philip lbw was surely missing leg stump and George Salmond did not even seem to be close to the delivery from which he was given caught behind.

But setting such disappointments aside - as the Scots must and will - tomorrow's meeting with Bangladesh now takes on extra edge. Having competed so well against top nations, the Scots must ram the psychological advantage home against their fellow underdogs. History favours them, for Scotland handsomely defeated their rivals twice on home territory last season. But there will be no danger of complacency in the Scottish camp. Salmond insists that they will come out with "all guns blazing". There are points to prove and the Scottish team have gained an appetite for battle and tomorrow, hopefully, victory.

The transition from 'good amateur' to 'near professional' status, has been achieved because for once, rather than leaving their office desks and classrooms for a couple of days before a big game, the Scots have been together as a team for several weeks. The team ethic is there for all to see. At the fall of each wicket in the two games played so far, the entire team has gathered in a bonding huddle.

In essence, they have bowled and fielded brilliantly but batted, especially early on, with fragility, albeit against some of the world's best. Against Bangladesh tomorrow, they are determined to right that wrong.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)