Cricket: Matthew Cross catching up with record

Scotland wicketkeeper Matthew Cross is homing in on Colin Smiths all-time ODI record. Picture: SNS

The Notts and former Aberdeenshire gloveman has already reached two landmarks after Tuesday’s World Cup defeat to New Zealand.

His four dismissals in his first appearance on the global stage are the most so far in one innings of the current tournament. Cross held on to catches to remove Black Caps big guns Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson and Grant Elliott in Dunedin. No other keeper had managed more than three dismissals after the first round of pool matches.

Cross also boasts the highest number of catches (26) by a Scot in one-day internationals, having forged ahead of mentor and former Aberdeenshire team-mate Colin Smith, and the 22-year-old is poised to surpass Smith’s all-time record of 31 ODI dismissals.

Cross said: “Colin was my idol and a guy I looked up to. His records are something for me to aspire to but I still have a long way to go to match everything he achieved in the game.”

While Cross looks likely to claim Smith’s ODI record, he has some way to go to match Adam Gilchrist’s amazing haul of 21 dismissals in a single World Cup which the Australian legend achieved in the 2003 tournament.

Meanwhile, coach Grant Bradburn believes rest could be the key to Scotland upsetting England in Sunday’s Pool A showdown in Christchurch.

He said: “The lads were drained after the New Zealand game. It was a big occasion for everyone and you could see the emotional exhaustion.

“That sort of experience can take its toll and we are mindful of that as coaches. Rest and recovery will be just as important as topping up on our training leading into the England game.”

The Scots are returning to Hagley Park, scene of their World Cup qualifying triumph 12 months ago, and Bradburn added: “We know the conditions well at Hagley Park and it’s a happy hunting ground for our team.

“The guys are delighted to be back here.”