5/3/15

Dear Diary,

Sun is shining, weather is sweet as bro ... it’s another great day in New Zealand and it’s just perfect for the big game ... SCOTLAND V. BANGLADESH.

Hope are high for this game and I have a certain amount of nervous energy and anticipation over breakfast. I explain to the family that Scotland could still make it to the quarterfinals if we win all three remaining matches (of course you’d have to hope that other results go our way too ... but it’s possible!). Its said mostly in humor but mum appreciates my optimism even if she doesn't share it.

Make it to the ground in time to see the toss which Bangladesh win and chose to bowl saying that there is a bit of movement expected in the first hour or so and they want to make the most of it.

The ground is filling up (not sold out but nicely filled) and there are two main pockets of Bangladeshi fans on either side of the members end who add noise and atmosphere right from the start and throughout the day. The Scottish are dispersed throughout the rest of the crowd mixing it with the locals and neutrals which makes for a more muted celebration from them. There are lots of school kids in too and although I’m not a fan of children in general they do add an extra dimension of noise and support for both teams. It seem pretty obvious that because today's game wasn't a sell out they gave away tickets to various schools to get some extra people in the ground which adds atmosphere and also allows the kids to gain some exposure to the amazing game. This might lead them to take up cricket and get a new generation to come through. It’s something that was missing from the world cup in the West Indies as stadiums sat half empty for many games.

But that's not the case today, the ground is almost full and the atmosphere is bubbling away, helped schoolkids who have been given instructions to cheer for a particular team. Half for Bangladesh, half for Scotland. Fun times.

Game begins well for Scotland with both openers showing good intent. But when MacLeod is out in the 3rd over people around me were thinking 'Oh no, not again.' Gardner is out to a soft dismissal and at the 10 over mark Scotland are 37/2 and I start reaching for the chocolate bars to comfort eat again.

Machan scores a good looking 30 odd, as usual, before getting out to a soft dismissal, as usual, but with his departure came Captain Mommsen to the crease. He brought a lot of determination to Scotland's innings and between him and Coetzer steadied the ship and took it back on course. to break all sorts of records including, the highest Scottish partnership total in World Cups of 141, the highest individual score for a Scottish batsman of 156 by Coetzer and (his first 100 off 103 balls, the next 50 off only 26!), he becomes the first associate nation batsman to score 150 runs in a World Cup match, and helps set Scotland's new highest score at World Cups 318 for 8. It could have been even higher if the tail didn't give away their wickets with so many soft dismissals.

During the break a chant war breaks out between rival fans which goes on for a surprisingly long time before persistence and tenacity of the Bangladeshi supporters eventually wins out. I don't mind who wins the supporters war, as long a Scotland win the game. They have given themselves a very good platform to do so as finally the batsmen have put up a quality total. Now all we have to do is hope our bowlers can back them up. It’s a very professional and clinical batting display from Scotland which gives the supporters something to believe in and the Bangladeshis a total to be concerned about.

Everything starts well for Scotland and Bangladesh are one down in the second over of their innings. From there on in its easy street for the Bangladeshi batsman as they cruise untroubled to 144 before the second wicket falls, Mahmudullah gets an unlucky ricochet off an excellent Wardlaw yorker that goes on to knock his stumps over, in the 24th over. He has to limp off, hobbled. It’s an painful breakthrough but unfortunately Scotland just can't get on a roll and Bangladesh seem to be able to score runs at will. It’s an impressive display of clinical professionalism from the Bangladeshi batsmen that matches everything Scotland had in their innings and improves on it by about 5%.

Mommsen juggled his bowlers trying to get the breakthrough and picked up the odd wicket or two but Bangladesh were equal to the task and kept on cruising ahead of the rate and picked off the total to win the game with 11 balls to spare and six wickets in hand.

There is very little to be disappointed with in this outcome, Scotland put up a great total and set about defending it pretty well. A few more runs would have been good and some more penetration with the ball could have put a different perspective on the match but all in all there is a lot to be proud of. Scotland’s batting fired at last and Coetzer marked himself out as world class (although us Scot's already knew that) he broke all sorts of records and smashed our highest world cup total out of the water.

Bangladesh have had full member status for over a decade now and the extra experience and development that that brings has shown through in this match. But Scotland weren't that far behind them tactically, technically or mentally. Scotland have shown the world today that they are only around 5% behind where the lower ranked full members are, and look at how much of a head start they have on us!

It's a heartening thought to take away from this result and all in all bodes well for the future.
It was also a great day out at the Cricket World Cup.




"Look for the ridiculous in everything and you will find it." Jules Renard - (1864 - 1910)