'Scotland can rise to beat the best'

John Blain, the Scotland fast bowler, has spoken confidently of his side's chances ahead of their opening clash against Australia this week. However, he maintains that while Australia suffered a setback against England last month, no one - least of all Scotland - will be underestimating them.

"There is a lot that has been made of their recent form, but I would respond to that by saying 'beware the wounded animal,"' Blain said. "When they lost the Ashes in England we saw the response then. I think they'll be looking to hit this World Cup hard and make a big impression.

"I think in the first game they will want to make a statement, so it will be our toughest match," he said. "They will be calculated and determined, but we can rise to the challenge and test ourselves against the best."

Blain's cautious optimism mirrors that of his coach, Peter Drinnen. Born in Australia, Drinnen said two weeks ago that if Scotland can "get it together," they "are going to be very dangerous, even against Australia". Blain has experience against Australia, having played against them in the 1999 World Cup.

Following their match against Australia Scotland face South Africa, newly positioned at No.1 in the official one-day rankings, and the Netherlands.

"That's our World Cup final really," Blain admitted. "If we can try to win that game that is our main aim. South Africa are coming off something like 11 wins in their last 13 one-day internationals. In the volatile world of one-day cricket, that is some record.

"We have not played our best cricket, especially with the bat. We're not going to doubt ourselves, because we know those guys are a little bit better than us. But we know we have to play better cricket.

"It's exposed frailties in our batting and bowling, so I think it has been good for us. If we'd played two weak associate sides and beaten them it would have done nothing for us."