3 best takeaways for Scotland from T20 World Cup 2024 campaign
Scotland were placed in Group B along with Australia, England, Oman, and Namibia in the T20 World Cup 2024. Even before the tournament began, the two cricket giants in the group viz. Australia and England were the hot favorites to qualify for the next round. The remaining three teams comprising Scotland, Oman, and Namibia, were expected to be pushovers for England and Australia.
However, the Scottish players gave their best on the field and impressed one and all with their performances right through the tournament. On that note, here are the three best takeaways for Scotland from T20 World Cup 2024.
#1 Impressive performances against England and Australia
To perform against the best in the business often inspires the players to perform better on the field. In the T20 World Cup 2024, Scotland made their mark against both England and Australia.
Before the rain gods interrupted the England game, Scotland scored 90 runs without losing any wicket and were on course for a big total. An experienced England bowling lineup comprising Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, and Adil Rashid were taken to the cleaners by the Scottish openers.
After thrashing Namibia and Oman in their next two encounters, Scotland were all set to take on the mighty Aussies. Scotland scored 136 runs from 14.3 overs, losing three wickets and were all set to score big. However, the last 33 balls yielded only 44 runs for the Europen team and they had to settle for a score of 180.
Scotland had Australia in a spot of bother, reducing them to 60 for the loss of three wickets. However, Marcus Stoinis and Travis Head took the momentum away from the Scots. Tim David played the role of a finisher and Australia won the game with two balls to spare.
The fact that Australia were at one stage reeling both with the ball and the bat speaks volumes about Scotland's performances and they can be proud of the way they played right through the tournament.
#2 Batting form of top order
The Scottish top order was impressive right through the tournament. In a rain-truncated match against England, openers George Munsey and Michael Jones added 90 runs in 10 overs without being dismissed. Munsey scored at a strike rate of 205 against Oman during his innings of 41. He followed it up with an impressive knock of 35 against Australia.
The biggest takeaway for Scotland was the form of their number three batter, Brandon McMullen. The 24-year-old batting sensation smashed 140 runs from three innings at an astounding strike rate of almost 171. His innings of 60 from 34 balls against Australia was the highlight for Scotland in the T20 World Cup 2024.
The fact that that the Scotland top order, particularly the top three, performed well against England and Australia reflects the fact that the Scots are ready to set the stage on fire in the shortest format in the near future.
#3 Superb bowling in powerplay overs
The Scottish bowlers were spot on in the powerplay overs with the ball. Against Australia, Scotland dominated the power play with the ball and picked up two wickets for 36 runs from six overs. While Brad Wheal accounted for David Warner, the dangerous Mitchell Marsh was dismissed by Safyaan Sharif.
Against Namibia, Scotland picked up three wickets in the powerplay overs. The trio comprising Brad Wheal, Bradley Currie and Christopher Sole picked up a wicket apiece.
In the game against Oman, Scotland bowlers were spot on in the powerplay overs and scalped two wickets.