Future looking brighter for Scots as inexperienced line-up prevails

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 19:29

A NEW beginning for Scotland was always going to involve growing pains rather than a soothing transition. There will be occasions when erratic tendencies – batting aberrations, fielding horrors and bowling calamities – causes self-inflicted wounds. The only treatment available for such growing pains is time and care. The mantra out of the national side after its failure to qualify for the next World Cup is that results matter. But results two, three and four years hence matter more.

To begin their quest to reach next year's Intercontinental Cup final with a victory against Canada was a distinct bonus as an inexperienced line-up, captained by Gordon Drummond, ground out victory by 30 runs yesterday. At a gloriously sunny Mannofield, the Saltires were engaged in a test of nerves but claimed the maximum 20 points available with a day to spare.

And, of course, the additional prize of laying down a marker for this week's two One Day Internationals.

"I was pleased to get over the line," admitted Drummond. "It was hard work because Canada fought all the way and made it difficult for us. We're trying to build a good team spirit and a good team ethos and I thought we showed tremendous character throughout the game."

Having set Umar Bhatti's men a target of 243 for victory from the final two days of this encounter, the hosts should have felt confident of booking a Sunday off if they came close to replicating their first innings when Canada were dismissed for just 142.

The portents were positive when Geoff Barnett retired hurt on 16 early on, followed quickly by his opening partner Trevin Bastiampillai, who was caught behind by stand-in wicketkeeper Ryan Watson. The gloves of the former skipper also accounted for Qaiser Ali while the ever-maturing bowling of Richie Berrington thwarted Rizwan Cheema (13) and Sunil Dhaniram (11) to pin the visitors back on an unsettling 60-4.

Scotland struggled to exploit the rich gains. With the seamers unable to penetrate consistently with the ball, Majid Haq gave up little when he was introduced but wickets were elusive.

Sandeep Jyoti and Khurram Chohan refused to deviate from a defensive formula which saw the tourists take almost 47 overs to reach a century. "There wasn't much in the pitch so we had to ask a lot from our bowlers," Drummond conceded. "But we showed a bit of fight."

The spinners punched hardest. Jyoti, with 47 from 130 deliveries, had been impeccable but Moneeb Iqbal's sixth ball was inch perfect and teased an edge to Neil McCallum at slip. Only four runs more were added when Haq trapped Choham on 28 and just five more were accumulated before a pristine Yorker by Iqbal, who took 2-30, removed Bhatti.

At 133-7, 110 runs were required off the tail, and an equal percentage of effort. Creditably, Canada pushed forth with Ashif Mulla putting on 27 in a 42-strong partnership with Shaheed Keshvani before picking out Ewan Chalmers at gulley. Barnett shook off searing back pain to return, as the desperate rally began. Assisted by a runner, he watched Keshvani run out frustratingly by Watson on 34, eventually departed at the death on 31 to Calum MacLeod, leaving Henry Osinde stranded on 7 not out.

Ross Lyons revealed last night that his return to the Scotland side after almost a year's absence has been speeded by the approach of new captain Gavin Hamilton. The Carlton spinner is in line to face the Canadians on Tuesday and make his first international appearance since facing England last August.

"Even though Gavin's not here at the moment, it does seem a happier camp," Lyons said. "It was the first time I've warmed up with the side in a while but there was a positive atmosphere with people having a laugh. Gav has some good ideas and that's what Scotland needs."

The selectors are likely to call up Clydesdale keeper Andy Hislop to make his full debut in place of Smith.