Who are you supporting in this world cup?

That’s a question I get asked a lot owing to my heritage - born in Australia where I lived for 20 years before moving to Scotland where I have lived for the next 20 years - which, I suppose, can lead to some confusion.

Adding to this mix is the fact that a lot of Scottish people who like cricket actually support England, and on a bilateral series format, so do I. As incongruous as this sounds it is actually true mostly because I watched Nasser Hussain mould an England team from supposedly worst in the world into proper world challengers during the mid to late 90s and accidentally became emotionally involved in the makeup of the team. I put this down to a by product of successfully integrating into being British.

As for other Scottish cricket fans supporting England ... well, as illegal as this is, there is a clause in the law which says that Scottish people can support England if Scotland don't have a representation that competes at the highest level on a permanent basis.

This works in a cricketing context as Scotland, like 90% of cricketing nations, aren't allowed at the big table with the full members. (As soon as Scotland becomes a full member test nation England can kiss Scottish support goodbye. Although, we may retain a keen interest in how they fare.)

This clause was also in full effect for Tennis. Before Scotland had Andy Murray (win or lose = Scottish) Scottish tennis fans supported Tim Henman (win or lose = English).

But rest assured, there is no confusion of where my support lies when it comes to cricket support at the world cup. I will be supporting, as I always do in these multi nation cricketing world events, New Zealand.

Ever since the ‘92 world cup New Zealand have captured my heart and my imagination. A talented team that played above the sum of its parts, their run to the semi final was exciting and innovative. I've always given them my support since then in worlds cups and enjoy them playing well during the comp before getting knocked out in the semi finals.

Perhaps that will happen again this time but I actually think they have the best chance ever of going on and winning the world cup with some dynamic players coming to the fore at the right time. I've even put my money where my mouth is by placing a bet on them to win the world cup at an actual bookies. I now have a whole British pound invested in them (at odds of 7/1 I stand to gain a whole £7 PLUS my original pound back !!! World cup 2019 here I come!!!) and so will be cheering for them at all occasions (except when they play Scotland. Then, despite my financial investment, I'm cheering for Scotland obviously).

As for my Australian heritage, living in Scotland for 20 years has seen my ties with Australia weaken to the point where I don't feel invested in their national team while simultaneously, my identity with Scotland has grown. So I will be supporting Scotland at all times.

And as for supporting England, well, there is a clause in the clause to the law that says that Scottish people can't support England at a world cup. If they won it you'd never hear the end of it. Oh no, can't be having that. So I will be supporting Scotland at all times.