Wednesday 25 July 2012

Wha's Like Us?

As a Scottish person, Fantasy Bob is unused to celebrating sporting success.  It is all very well for natives of Kilburn to be celebrating Bradley Wiggins' triumphant bicycle ride round French beauty spots.  S Africans must be tired cheering Els and Steyn, quite apart from exhaustedly raising a glass to Amla.  Scottish supporters are not lachrymose by nature, but they will no doubt turn crying along with Andy Murray into a national pastime.  But not today.

There is only one thing for Fantasy Bob to say today and that is very well done to Scotland who beat Bangladesh in a T20I played in the Netherlands yesterday.

The victory was based on Richie Berrington's century which came in 56 balls - making it the fifth fastest in T20I history.  When Berrington hits it, it stays hit. And what distinguished company he now keeps - above him are Richard Levy (45 balls), Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum (both 50 balls) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (55 balls).

Berrington


A disciplined bowling performance with some excellent fielding kept the pressure on Bangladesh's batting line-up.

This is Scotland's first victory against a Test playing nation in any format of the game. Bangladesh were ranked four before the match, following their 3-0 victory over Ireland last week. a false position perhaps, but not so as to take away from Scotland's achievement. An historic moment. Both Ireland and Bangladesh themselves have previously used such victories as the foundation for improvement and development. Let's hope that Scotland can do the same.

The sad fact is however that this is the only T20I that Scotland will play this year. They failed to qualify for the T20WC to be held in Sri Lanka in September.

Once again, it raises questions as to what are the best opportunities to give Scottish players to develop. Is the CB40 competition in which they play a number of counties home and away really proving a platform of any sort? There is some thinking to do. But that is for tomorrow. For the moment - well done Drummo and the boys.

Wha's like us?

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