Grant Bradburn quits as Scotland cricket coach

Grant Bradburn has quit as Scotland cricket coach to become assistant coach of Pakistan.
Grant Bradburn is stepping down as Scotland cricket coach. Picture: Ross MacDonald/SNSGrant Bradburn is stepping down as Scotland cricket coach. Picture: Ross MacDonald/SNS
Grant Bradburn is stepping down as Scotland cricket coach. Picture: Ross MacDonald/SNS

The former New Zealand all-rounder, who guided Scotland to their historic one-day international victory over England in June, has made huge strides with the national side and leaves big shoes to fill.

Bradburn has been in charge of Scotland since 2014.

The win over England at the Grange was arguably Scottish cricket’s finest hour, with the underdogs, ranked 13th in the world, beating the No 1 ODI side for the first time, sparking wild scenes of celebration in Edinburgh.

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Bradburn said: “I am extremely proud of the progress the national team and Cricket Scotland as an organisation have made, which makes it a difficult decision to step away at this time.

“The team is in a great place and recent success is no surprise, considering the strong hard working, winning culture that exists amongst the players and staff.

“I am positive the team is ready and capable to continue the climb towards full membership and further international success.”

Malcolm Cannon, chief executive of Cricket Scotland, added: “Grant Bradburn’s departure is a demonstration of the high profile the Scotland men’s team has achieved through its continued success over recent years.

“The team has performed very strongly, including our first victory at a world event, a strong performance at the World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe and four wins against ICC full members (Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and England) including the iconic ODI victory against England in June this year.

“Grant leaves the team in a very good position to qualify for, and compete strongly in, the next two World T20 finals in 2020 and 2021.

“To us, Grant will always be considered a Scot and we wish him the very best of luck and good fortune in his new role as we each move onto a more exciting future.”

Bradburn, who applied for the New Zealand job earlier in the summer but was overlooked, took Scotland to the WT20 finals in India where Scotland recorded their first ever victory at a world event.

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This was followed in 2017 and 2018 by victories over four different ICC full members (their first ever victories against full members) and a tie against a fifth.

Cricket Scotland said Grant had been head-hunted by Pakistan cricket to join their coaching team and he will replace Steve Rixon as fielding specialist.

Pakistan are currently the top-ranked T20 team in the world.