da doce： Scotland have never won a World cup game in their previous two appearances. Can they end that run of defeats in 2015? A preview of the Scotland’s prospects in Australia and New Zealand
da dobrowin： Alan Gardner30-Jan-20150:48
Scotland team profile
Scotland took their acute disappointment at missing out on qualification for the expanded 2014 World T20, sharpened it with a new coaching team led by Paul Collingwood, and used it to cut a dashing path to their third World Cup.They won the World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand at the start of the year and with it a place in Group A, giving them fixtures against both host nations as well as the down south, England.Aside from the added kudos of beating UAE and finishing third among the Associates – behind Ireland and Afghanistan – the draw means Scotland’s travel time will be greatly reduced. Their first four group matches all take place in New Zealand, followed by the final two in Hobart, meaning they won’t need to make too many ditch-crossings.Realistically, Scotland will look to their third match, against Afghanistan on February 26, as a golden opportunity to win for the first time at a World Cup. There will be plenty of Bannockburn spirit on display – and perhaps a revival of the independence debate – when they play England three days earlier. The presence of Collingwood, England’s leading ODI run-scorer, on the coaching staff will add spice to the broth.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
World Cup pedigreePrevious appearances at the 1999 and 2007 World Cup yielded eight defeats and it will be Scotland’s priority to ensure that run doesn’t extend to 14. Twice before they have faced the difficult task of opening up against Australia but a first match against the other host nation, New Zealand, this time around will scarcely be easier.X-factorScotland could field half-a-dozen players with county experience in their XI but they will arrive at the World Cup as relative unknowns. That gives them the chance of an upset through the element of surprise and their hand will be strengthened by the local knowledge of Scotland’s coach, former New Zealand international Grant Bradburn.Players in focusPreston Mommsen
Born in South Africa but an “Embra” resident since 2007, Mommsen provides the power in Scotland’s middle-order. An unbeaten century, his first in ODIs, led the side to victory in the final of the World Cup Qualifier, where he was also Man of the Series. Mommsen has since been confirmed as Scotland’s World Cup captain.Fact box
Previous World Cups
1999: Group stage
2003: Did not qualify
2007: Group Stage
2011: Did not qualify
Squad: Preston Mommsen (capt), Richie Berrington, Kyle Coetzer, Freddie Coleman, Matthew Cross (wk), Josh Davey, Alasdair Evans, Hamish Gardiner, Majid Haq, Michael Leask, Matt Machan, Calum MacLeod, Safyaan Sharif, Rob Taylor, Iain Wardlaw
Fixtures
February 17 – v New Zealand, Dunedin
February 23 – v England, Christchurch
February 26 – v Afghanistan, Dunedin
March 5 – v Bangladesh, Nelson
March 11 – v Sri Lanka, Hobart
March 14 – v Australia, Hobart
Calum MacLeod
MacLeod began his career as a seamer with Warwickshire but has reinvented himself as an explosive top-order batsman. Struggled on Scotland’s tour of Australia and New Zealand but can go big when he comes off. He struck three List A hundreds in 2014 – including 175 against Canada, the highest ODI score by a Scotsman.Rob Taylor
A handy allrounder, Taylor has a first-class hundred to his name and can also open the bowling, where his left-arm seam provides a contrast to the taller, broader Iain Wardlaw. The Old Harrovian has plenty of experience of battling the odds, as part of the Leicestershire side that has finished bottom of the Championship two years running.Game StyleA powerful batting line-up, Scotland lost by one run to a strong New Zealand XI during an acclimatisation tour at the end of 2014. Their catching in the ODI against England last May showed how sharp they are in the field.PredictionWill be desperate to cause an upset, either against one of the subcontinental teams or, ideally, England. They won’t go beyond the group stage but their Saltire-waving fans should leave a mark.World Cup stats Scotland have yet to pass 200 in an innings at the World Cup, their highest score being 186 for 8 The eight-wicket defeat to West Indies in 1999, in which Scotland were bowled out for 68, took just three hours – at the time the shortest completed match at a World CupIf they were an actor …Channing Tatum: Pleased to get an invite to the Oscars but unlikely to win much… yet.Theme song”Tubthumping” – Chumbawumba
