Scotland’s 42-run overcome two-time champions West Indies on Monday has been lauded because the second huge upset at this 12 months’s T20 World Cup in as many days, after Namibia’s shock victory over Sri Lanka. However, trying on the type of the 2 sides coming into the event, it was not a complete shock.
Scotland solely performed two T20 Internationals since final 12 months’s World Cup, getting drubbed 2-0 by New Zealand. But their ODI ends in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, the place they’ve gained 5 of their final six video games, have proven the depth of their expertise.
Against the West Indies, George Munsey was the star of the present with the bat, and Mark Watt with the ball. Both had their first style of huge success in opposition to Test-playing nations, however they – similar to the remainder of the squad – have quietly made their mark in Associate cricket.
What a efficiency 🔥
Scotland get their marketing campaign underway with a commanding victory in opposition to West Indies 💪#T20WorldCup | #WIvSCO | 📝 https://t.co/zYWEnEHtif pic.twitter.com/rWZPmS9wyR
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 17, 2022
Munsey hit an unbeaten 53-ball 66, his eighth T20I half-century, to set the tone of the batting innings. He got here out of the blocks with some clear ball placing, going after the Windies assault within the preliminary levels. The opener, a former golf protégé, is understood for quick begins (he has a strike fee of 144 in addition to a T20I century to his title), and received a number of runs on the World Cup final 12 months, however he appeared to decelerate in opposition to spin after a rain delay.
Later within the innings, Chris Greaves, having gained a fame because the facet’s prime finisher when he smashed 45 off 28 balls within the nation’s one and solely World Cup win over Bangladesh final 12 months, contributed with two late boundaries, together with Calum MacLeod’s 14-ball 23 to achieve a stable whole of 166.
In the West Indies innings, Watt and Michael Leask did the large injury. Watt ended his 4 overs with 3-12, after having opened the bowling and wreaking havoc on the Caribbean facet’s high order. Ever since gaining recognition within the UAE final 12 months, Watt has made his title as a misleading spin bowler who can use all situations to his benefit. He has the power to differ each line and size, irritating batters, and altering the tempo, angle, and trajectory with out really using a lot spin. Leask supplied variation, by getting flip off the pitch, however Watt’s efficiency put Scotland’s superior preparation and ways on show.
George Munsey brings up his eighth T20I half-century 👏#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Sfc1Gjl59R
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 17, 2022
Despite headline efforts from the above gamers, Scotland’s triumph was one for the complete staff and borne out of togetherness and staff spirit. They confirmed the benefits of a bunch taking part in as a lot cricket collectively as attainable with out too many adjustments – even when which means taking part in fewer matches – and their earlier outcomes have proved they’re one of many high sides exterior cricket’s elite, among the best of the remainder, and their title could also be taken quickly with the likes of Afghanistan and Ireland.
New-look Windies in danger
West Indies’ elimination from the World Cup earlier than the Super 12 stage now seems to be like an actual risk. In truth, in the event that they lose to Zimbabwe, and Scotland beat Ireland – each potentialities trying likelier after Monday’s outcomes – their early exit will probably be confirmed, making their subsequent recreation a must-win.
The staff from the Caribbean goes via a serious transition in the mean time. The embarrassment of final 12 months’s T20 World Cup, the place they had been in a position to win just one match, remains to be recent in reminiscence, and they’re lacking a few of their greatest names.
Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard are retired, the likes of Andre Russell and Sunil Narine haven’t been chosen, the veterans not seemingly built-in with youthful gamers within the staff, and to make issues worse, Shimron Hetmeyer, certainly one of their main batsmen, was disregarded of the staff on the final minute after he missed an already rescheduled flight to Australia.
On paper, nonetheless, they nonetheless have some high names. Skipper Nicholas Pooran has made a reputation for himself in franchise and worldwide cricket over the previous few years, and each Evin Lewis and Rovman Powell have been stable previously. Their bowling assault is reliant on Obed McCoy and Jason Holder, each of whom had an off-day on Monday. They additionally bat deep, however none of them appears to bat very lengthy, and their implosion in opposition to Scotland is trigger for concern.
Their incapability to get outcomes collectively stems from the shortage of the identical attribute that labored so effectively for Scotland in opposition to them: togetherness. For a few years now, the two-time T20 world champions have constantly performed much less and fewer cricket collectively, regardless of having achieved lots in T20 leagues world wide.
They are lacking the expertise and high quality that the recently-retired stalwarts gave them, however even once they all met in the course of the World Cup final 12 months, there was an evident lack of chemistry among the many group, which is being displayed by the newer technology too. Since then, the Windies have performed 24 T20Is, greater than sufficient to be effectively ready for the World Cup, however related points persist.
