Scottish Cricket: Plenty of plus points for battered Scots despite heavy loss against Australia

Published on Monday 31 August 2009 22:43

AUSTRALIA Day did not disappoint. Sure, Scotland conceded a record 345 runs in losing by 189 runs to the wounded Aussies – hardly a shock in this traditional mismatch – but pertinent plusses were many.

Unexpectedly favourable weather and a decent Grange pitch produced 501 runs for an eager home crowd to savour. The exhilarating 111 from the other Hussey, David, could hardly have been bettered for initial controlled wariness before he raced through the gears en route to a sustained onslaught.

This wasn't a slog; instead, Hussey demonstrated supremely orthodox technique to entertain the crowds. Goodness knows why he's being confined to just their Twenty20 squad.

For Scotland, Gordon Drummond's remarkably economical 10-2-35-1 figures – including two of only five maidens in the entire match – amidst the surrounding carnage were a further testimony to what a doughty, wholehearted and extremely capable cricketer he is. The other seaming Gordon, earnest Goudie, added his honourable name to that of Poloc's Keith Sheridan as a five-wicket star against Australia.

In his autobiography, Steve Waugh mentions Sheridan's exploits – a five for 65 back in July 1997 also at Raeburn Place, with arguably superior victims in Blewett, both Waughs, Julian and Healey.

A mature Majid Haq – 87 caps already aged just 26 – again bowled convincingly too, despite an eventually wrecked analysis.

"Yeah, hands up," Haq shrugged post-match. "Hussey was just too good."

Richie Berrington did well to come back with ball and bat after Watson whacked him for 16 in his first over, while Gavin Hamilton captained and batted with characteristic resolve.

The ever-genial Aussies, who unusually travelled north by train, again seemed to enjoy their Scottish sojourn, notwithstanding last week's Ashes disappointment. There was just a palpable, steely determination to regroup immediately, and atone for the loss to their great rivals.

Above all, hats off to Cricket Scotland, who showed an enhanced capacity to handle challenging logistics, and host with aplomb such a major event.

It was a fitting culmination to the most frenetic year ever for Scottish teams, who have appeared in more than 100 representative games across all the age groups.

Smith plays part in Dons' double

THEY proved it once again: they are incontestably the teams of the year.

Both Aberdeenshire and Dunfermline convincingly wrapped up their respective leagues on Saturday's last day before their home fans. Both pros again delivered when it mattered most. Aberdeenshire's Todd Astle provided runs and wickets against Uddingston, whilst Dunfermline's Alistair Gray pushed his astonishing combined league and cup run tally to nearly 1,300 at an average of over 140, as his 64 provided the foundation for his colleagues to rack up yet another imposing total to consign Penicuik to the play-offs.

The Dons then went one better less than 24 hours later, adding the Scottish Cup with an emphatic D/L win over the Fifers. For once Gray failed with the bat; Astle didn't.

A special word here for Dons' Colin Smith: the keeper-bat, veteran of 181 caps, hasn't played much club cricket this year, but on the double-header weekend of reckoning he delivered big time, bludgeoning 121 in two quickfire innings for just once out – crucially at a strike rate above 100 – to ensure their 1996 double feat was replicated.

It was some bus journey back from Ayr to Mannofield on Sunday night.

Times changing at Whitehaugh

IT REMAINS one of the most imposing edifices in the Scottish game – the Whitehaugh pavilion, that Victorian Gothic pile that's home to Kelburne, with the clock once struck by a touring Richie Benaud pull back in 1956. These past two decades, though, have been wilderness years for the inaugural winners of the Scottish Cup in 1966.

But soon it could all change. Whitehaugh's class of 2009 – a potent blend of youth and experience – who again won the Western Union and reached the play-offs, are on the cusp of returning to the big time.

Some fine cricketers are currently plying their trade in Paisley's east end. Astute skipper Scott Hamilton, tyro quickie Stevie McLister, time-served all-rounder Ian Bennett, seasoned seamer Jamie McDonald and charismatic Guyanan pro David Harper. There's a strong feeling down Whitehaugh Avenue their time has now come.