I have a lot of time for Peter Drinnen, and can’t help but wonder if the timing of his parting with the Netherlands was unnecessarily disruptive so close to the World Cup Qualifier.

Then again, the timing of Pete Steindl’s parting with Scotland even nearer to the start of the tournament has been made to look like a masterstroke.

Hindsight seems to exist only to blur our vision.

Drinnen popped into my head this morning after catching up on the scorecard from Scotland’s 170-run win over Canada, and the reason does not flatter him.

At Meikleriggs in Paisley, in the summer of 2006, I first set eyes on Paul Stirling. It was Ireland v Scotland in a youth international and the Carrickfergus youngster looked for all the world like a young Ian Botham as he smote the ball around the ground, smashing a window in the pavilion to leave Ferguslie CC with a memento of his visit.

Calum MacLeod was the star turn in that Scotland team, and after taking his share of punishment he took the wicket of the Irish kingpin for a hundred and something. That, however, was pretty much the end of MacLeod’s work for the day, because Peter Drinnen, then Scotland’s national coach and who was in charge of the side that day, had named him at No 11.

Donald MacLeod said more about it with his raised eyebrows than with his mouth in the pavilion afterwards. Calum’s father, one of the best photographers in the country, wore a knowing look that, if interpreted, would have read: “My boy will show him.” And so it has proved.

By all accounts MacLeod’s innings against United Arab Emirates, when elimination still stared Scotland in the face, was superb. By all accounts his innings against Canada was even better, Craig Wright drawn to say that it originated from the “top drawer”.

Heck, the 25-year-old has scored consecutive hundreds, at a tournament where Scots batsmen have more often than not crumbled in the face of pressure. You don’t need to have seen these games to know that there is a special talent at work at the top of the Scotland order.

This is just what Scottish cricket has been crying out for. Okay, it has been crying out for a World Cup appearance, too, but MacLeod may be about to deliver a double boon for the game. A big tournament to look forward to and a reason, in the coming years, for more people to pay to watch Scotland.

MacLeod hasn’t just turned it on this week, he plundered runs at the World Twenty20 Qualifier too. It’s just that Scotland had choked too many times for it to matter by the time he and Matt Machan found the middle of their bats in the Gulf.

In New Zealand, the pair have given Scotland momentum, and proven the adage that there is no greater secret to winning than winning.

I am pleased for Pete Steindl that Scotland have turned a corner. Even though he will not directly benefit from any success that comes the team’s way this week, his tenure will look better in retrospect.

I am pleased for Calum MacLeod that he has recovered from the loss of a career by launching another one. He was highly rated at Warwickshire, but the outlawing of his bowling action gave rise to a long-term remedial mission and I was not surprised when they ran out of patience.

Now, surely, the door to county cricket will open again. I am pleased for Calum’s mum and dad, and for his brothers.

Above all, I am pleased for the loyal supporters of Scottish cricket. They finally have their answer to Paul Stirling and it has been a long time coming.