Bowling return lifts MacLeod

The former Warwickshire all-rounder shared the Saltires’ collective hurt in the wake of Sunday’s 125-run mauling by Essex.

However, MacLeod was able to take personal satisfaction from bowling at the top level for the first time in four years.

He was thrown the new ball by skipper Preston Mommsen and responded by bowling a wicket maiden. That followed years of hard work re-modelling an action which had been deemed illegal by ICC chiefs.

MacLeod finished with 1-51 – the most economical figures on a day when the Scots conceded a record 368 – and he said: “I actually enjoyed bowling on Sunday – and these are words I never thought I would hear myself saying again.

“It was a big surprise when Preston told me I might be bowling against Essex and jaw-dropping when he gave me the new ball.

“But I think it went pretty well for me. The early wicket helped and hopefully I can build on this performance.”