Scotland will enter the World Cup as the top ranked ODI Associate nation, Kenya being a full ICC member at the ODI level. The Scots justified this ranking during last month's World Cricket League (WCL), losing in the finals to Kenya. The Scots have a solid team, but with most of their players being part time cricketers, they still have a long way to go to be competitive against the top teams of the world.
Batting
The Scots' batting will be led by 32 year old left hander Gavin Hamilton. Hamilton represented Scotland in the 1999 World Cup and on the back of a successful 1998 season at Yorkshire, was picked to play for England in a Test against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1999. Hamilton made a pair and failed to take a wicket with his lively seam bowling. After that rude introduction to Test cricket, he was abruptly dropped by the English. He then waited out the mandatory 4 year period before playing for Scotland again in 2004. 37 year old veteran Dougie Brown is another Scotsman with experience playing for for England. He played in 9 ODIs for England in 1997 and '98 and has 10 first class centuries to his credit. He will finally get his chance at a World Cup in March and will be looking forward to making an impact. Powerful middle order batsman Ryan Watson could make a big score if he gets in. He made 80 in his ODI debut against Pakistan last year. One interesting wrinkle that Scotland tried at the WCL and will likely do at the World Cup is to use off spinner Majid Haq to open the batting, using his big hitting to take advantage of the fielding restrictions during the first 15 overs.
Bowling
The Scottish attack is based around bits and pieces allrounders such as Hamilton, Brown and Watson. Captain Craig Wright fits that bill as well and his medium pace is useful at the death. Opening bowler Paul Hoffman is an attacking pacer, who has a respectable economy rate at just over 4 runs per over. He also has a reputation as having 'ice in his veins' at the end of an innings, as he took 3 wickets in the last over to seal a 2 run victory over the Dutch at the WCL. Another bowler of note is attacking left arm spinner Glenn Rogers, who came down with typhoid fever in January of this year, forcing him out of the WCL. He is however, expected to be well enough to play in the World Cup.
Squad
Craig Wright (capt), John Blain, Dougie Brown, Gavin Hamilton, Majid Haq, Paul Hoffmann, Douglas Lockhart, Ross Lyons, Neil McCallum, Dewald Nel, Navdeep Poonia, Glenn Rogers, Colin Smith, Ryan Watson, Fraser Watts.
Coach
Scotland is coached by former Australian first class player, Peter Drinnen.
Outlook
Being placed in the same group as the worlds top 2 ODI sides does not bode well for Scotland, who will do well to be competitive against Australia and South Africa. The odds of the Scots upsetting either are slim, but stranger things have happened in cricket and Australia will come into the match against the Scots on a 5 game losing streak (which may not be a good thing for the Scots!). Look however, for an entertaining game against the Dutch. Both teams will see this match as an excellent chance to win a World Cup match and the last time they met, the two produced a final over thriller.
Previous World Cups: 1999
World Cup Record: 0 wins 5 losses
Best World Cup Finish: First Round, 1999
Group Matches (Group A)
Wed 14 March - Australia
Tue 20 March - South Africa
Thurs 22 March - Netherlands
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