Watson says facing large crowds could be daunting

We can cause upset - Scotland captain

Cricinfo staff

September 6, 2007

Ryan Watson hopes his team to not be fazed by reputation of their opponents © Getty Images

Ryan Watson, the captain, has said that Scotland are capable of causing an upset at the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 tournament in South Africa. Scotland are grouped with India and Pakistan in the initial phase of the tournament.

"Pakistan are a brilliant side on their day but they have off days as well," Watson told BBC Sport. "India are the same, so, if we get it right and they get it wrong in such a short version, anything can happen."

Allrounder Dougie Brown, who has turned out 28 times for Warwickshire in Twenty20 games, echoed his captain's sentiments. "Because of the format, we have more chances of creating an upset. Don't forget, not many teams, including India and Pakistan, have Twenty20 experience," he told the Times of India.

Watson admitted that facing large crowds is going to be a tough prospect for Scotland. "That's [massive crowds] going to be a daunting factor for us but it's also something that should spur us on," he told PA Sport.

Watson hopes to inspire his team-mates to a special performance. "I'd like the team to do well first and foremost. It would be nice from a personal point of view to be able to contribute to a win. That would be a bonus," Watson said. "If I can get 10 other individuals playing well and I have a bad tournament but the team does well then I've done my job as skipper."

Watson, 30, who took over the captaincy after Craig Wright stepped down after the World Cup in the Caribbean, wanted his team to not "focus too much on who we are playing against but to focus on the job in hand".

"There's not really a lot that needs to be said to get spirits lifted. We are pretty up for it. Everything is to play for, including the financial gains of getting through. But also as individuals we want to do as well as we can."

Scotland face Pakistan in their opening match on September 12.

© Cricinfo

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