Team preview: Scotland

Undercooked

Will Luke

September 7, 2007

Dougie Brown is back, but how far will he be able to carry Scotland on his own? © Getty Images

The names Brown, Blain and Drummond may not send a cold chill down opposing captains' spines, but Scotland are determined to shake off the tag of no-hopers and make amends for their dismal showing in the World Cup.

They and Kenya are the only two Associates to feature, after reaching the final of the World Cricket League in Nairobi in February. As ever, though, their participation in this tournament raises the age-old question: are they (and Kenya) good enough and do they warrant inclusion along with Full Member nations?

It will be terrific experience for them, no doubt. And yes, the fewer the overs, the greater the chance teams like Scotland and Kenya have of inflicting an upset. But their training has been characteristically poor - the squad haven't trained together since their last one-dayer, against India in August - and the disparity of talent between them and the top teams will be too great.

Home truths
The good news is that Dougie Brown, their most experienced player, is back. The bad news is he has only played two club games since his Achilles injury in July. He alone can't carry the team, especially against the naturally aggressive batsmen that both Pakistan and India possess. However their captain, Ryan Watson, has spoken boldly of their chances and reckons Scotland have won "90 per cent of games in the last few years which have been reduced to 25 overs or less".

The fewer the overs, the greater the chance teams like Scotland have of inflicting an upset. But their training has been characteristically poor and the disparity of talent between them and the top teams will be too great

Strengths
Brown is their strength, if only for his exposure to Twenty20 in county cricket. But due to his injury he is unlikely to bowl too much, which will further weaken Scotland's attack. Likewise Gavin Hamilton, 32, will give the squad some lower-order nous, and Scotland's fielding is impressively watertight for an Associate.

Weaknesses
Scotland have never played a Twenty20. Adding to that rather significant hamstring: the team haven't trained together for a month as they all have full-time jobs. Watson is a powerful striker of the ball, but their batting lacks the frenetic urgency required to post challenging totals.

Player to watch
Ryan Watson Soft-spoken off the pitch; solid, powerful and combative out in the middle. His game is the most balanced of Scotland's line-up. In 21 ODIs he has made three fifties and a top-score of 123.

Dark horse
Scotland As Ireland proved with their defeat of Pakistan in the World Cup, anything's possible in the shortened game. The odd questionable lbw decision; a dropped catch here and a flurry of sixes there, and who knows?

Will Luke is a staff writer on Cricinfo

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