There is no rest for the wicked and seemingly not for interim cricket head coaches either. Less than 48 hours after leading Scotland to a perfect six wins from six in their successful T20 World Cup qualifying campaign, Doug Watson will today board a plane back to New Zealand to resume the life he put on pause when this opportunity arose four months ago.
“I’m straight back into the day job now,” says the South African. “I fly out [today] and then I’m straight back, feet under the desk on Wednesday.”
Watson has been coy about his long-term future with Scotland ever since he agreed to succeed countryman Shane Burger on a temporary basis in March but given his existing coaching role with the Auckland Aces and the fact Scotland have no games currently on the calendar, it seems unlikely the 50-year-old will be back. Not in the foreseeable future in any case.
If this, then, is to have been a fleeting connection then it’s one that seems to have made a lasting impression on him. Parachuted in to oversee a group of players he barely knew and asked to lead them through two World Cup qualifying campaigns must have been a stressful and at times onerous task but Watson took it on with good grace and an abundance of enthusiasm.
There was a neat symmetry to his time in charge, with Scotland opening and closing his competitive tenure with narrow wins over old rivals Ireland. In between there has been enough drama to rival a Hollywood blockbuster, with the Saltires falling agonisingly short of making the 50-over World Cup after losing their final game to the Netherlands in Zimbabwe before rebounding just a few weeks later to slay the rest of Europe in front of their own fans to reach next year’s T20I finals. There has been a lot to pack in.
“It’s been an incredible experience, an absolute privilege to work for Scotland and serve these players over the last four months,” added Watson. “I’ve really loved my time here.
“We had a week off after Zimbabwe when the guys spent some time with their families, just took it easy with a bit of rest and relaxation. But as soon as the group got back together I was amazed with the energy and enthusiasm they brought to their first training session.
“That for me was such a good sign. I thought, ‘okay, these guys want to get over the line this time’. It’s been an incredible week. I’m so proud of the team and what they’ve achieved. At the start of this tournament we wanted to win it but I’ve been impressed with the quality of cricket that the guys played, with individuals standing up at different times.
“Against Ireland we had our captain Richie Berrington standing up again with another brilliant innings alongside Brandon McMullen. And what about Brad Currie’s five-for at the back end to win it?
“It’s just awesome that we finished with a win as well. It was important coming off the Zim trip where we lost that final game just to show that we can do it. I’ve loved the experience of a home tournament and it was great to get the support of the crowd and everyone that turned up for all the matches.”
As well as the two wins over Ireland, Scotland have also beaten the West Indies, the UAE, Oman, Zimbabwe, Germany, Austria, Italy, Denmark and Jersey during Watson’s time in charge, and did so without players like regulars Josh Davey and Brad Wheal who were unavailable and the recently retired duo, Kyle Coetzer and Calum MacLeod.
Scottish cricket is still undergoing significant change behind the scenes but Watson believes that on the field the signs are encouraging.
“There’s some real quality in the squad,” he added. “I think they’re in a wonderful position with some good young ones coming through. Brandon McMullen is only 22. And there are guys who didn’t play like Hamza Tahir, Jack Jarvis and Adrian Neill and guys who are out of the system who are coming through and will be pushing in the next couple of years.”
And what would be his outstanding memory from his time with Scotland?
“I definitely think singing the national anthem after every victory has been a real highlight for me. Just being with the guys in the changing room and feeling the energy from that. I know all the words now! That’s definitely been the highlight. And just watching the guys bond and support each other. That’s been fantastic.”
