SCO vs ENG 2018: Edinburgh win can't soothe Scotland's pain of being out of World Cup 2019, says Calum MacLeod

Scotland set to next play Pakistan in two T20Is to be held on 12 and 13 June 2018.

Scotland celebrates their win over England in an one-off ODI | Getty Images

Scotland batsman Calum MacLeod, who hammered a fantastic century to help his team to beat No1 One Day side England in one-off One Day International in Edinburgh on Sunday (10 June), said that the triumph can’t even soothe their pain of missing out the 10-team 2019 World Cup.

Scotland were almost near to grabbing a slot for the World Cup to be held in England next year during the ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, but rain and poor umpiring cost them that place to the West Indies and ICC’s decision to reduce the mega tournament to 10 teams washed out all their possibilities. 

MacLeod told BBC Sport, “It's certainly one of the best games of cricket I've been involved in. To have the No.1 team in the world here, and the energy from the crowd, to set a total like that ... what a game. It does not take away what happened in the World Cup qualifiers and everyone's feelings about the 10-team tournament. But this was a special day. It is up to us now to build on it.”

The 29-year-old right-holder further said that Scotland wants more games in the bigger window. He further added, “We want more games. That is the bigger shop window rather than the personal side. This should be a catalyst for more games. Anyone here or watching could see the energy from the crowd and what passion there is for cricket up here.”

Meanwhile, Scotland head coach Grant Bradburn said that this win is a message for the International Cricket Council that his team are also able to compete with big teams across the world and curtailing the teams for the World Cup 2019 was not a wise decision. 

Bradburn signed off by saying, “Obviously yesterday was another message. I don't think it would be any surprise for cricket folk around the world to know that we competed [with England]. But to compete and win sends a fantastic message to the world governing body that there are not just 10 teams who are well capable of playing at a World Cup. There are three or four of our fellow associate nations that need to be there as well.”

 

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 12 Jun, 2018

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