Howzat for history! Scots score famous victory over England

Kyle Coetzer, right, Calum MacLeod, centre, and Mark Watt lead the celebrations after Safyaan Sharif took the winning wicket. Picture: Getty.

Batsman Calum MacLeod’s sparkling unbeaten innings of 140 set Scotland up for their first win over England in yesterday’s one-day international which sparked scenes of wild celebrations at The Grange.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat, the 13th-ranked Scots, who earlier this year agonisingly failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup in England, batted brilliantly to rack up their highest ODI score of 371-5 and set their opponents what would have been a record run chase.

Scotland have had Duncan Hodge, rugby hero of the Calcutta Cup win over England 18 years ago, helping head coach Grant Bradburn, pictured, prepare the cricket team this week and MacLeod, who struck 16 fours and three sixes in his seventh ODI century, said there was always belief even as their opponents crept towards the target.

“We’ve had Duncan Hodge with us this week and he made the point that for too long Scottish sport has been about close misses and this could have been one of those but it’s something as a cricket team we’ve tried to work at,” said MacLeod.

“Taking those key moments. Big moments in games. Not being plucky Scottish losers but actually being brave enough and bold enough to walk through the door and win games.”

Fast bowler Safyaan Sharif sealed the shock win when he trapped tailender Mark Wood lbw with seven balls remaining and England still six runs in arrears.

“When Safyaan had the ball in hand at the end there everyone felt he was going to do it,” added MacLeod. “He’s a laid-back, chilled guy who backs his skills.”

MacLeod and Scotland will now look to repeat the feat when they take on another world No 1 side, Pakistan, back at The Grange in