Cricket’s elite tend to be spotted in Edinburgh about as often as Halley’s Comet making this week’s bilateral T20i series with Australia an occasion to be cherished.
It is only two-and-a-half months since the two nations met in a scintillating World Cup clash in St Lucia but it has been 11 years since the Baggy Greens last stopped off in Scotland for a one-sided, one-day international that they won by 200 runs.
The World Cup match was the first time the two nations had played each other over the T20 format but they will follow that dramatic encounter – won in the final over by Australia to send Scotland home – with three more this week at the Grange; weather permitting, of course.
Cost and other considerations have made it increasingly difficult to persuade full member nations to add a stop in Edinburgh to their busy touring schedules but, when Cricket Ireland withdrew from their planned hosting of the Australians, Scotland offered to step in and a deal was arranged.
An Australian side led by Mitch Marsh – captain Pat Cummins has been rested – and featuring familiar names including Cameron Green, Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa will, therefore, all enjoy a run-out in Edinburgh on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week ahead of their autumn tour of England.
The main gripe among Scotland’s cricketers is that they don’t get to play the big names often enough, making this series one that they are all eagerly anticipating.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to play against the best in these three games against Australia,” says head coach, Doug Watson. “What a great way for us to finish off the summer. We’d love to play the bigger teams more often than we do and hopefully we can in the future.
“But it’s also important in our other games, like in World Cricket League 2, that the guys still put in big performances as these are what enable us to play against the bigger nations when those opportunities come around.
“I was extremely proud of how our guys played in the World Cup. They stood up, pushed their chests out and represented Scotland with all their hearts. They gave it their all. That’s probably why I’m equally excited about the next three games.
"Any game that we play in we want to win. We want to compete and put in some really good performances. If we can stick to our processes, hit our areas when we bowl, are really competitive in the field and bat really well, we can push Australia all the way.”
Watson has named a strong squad for the three games, with Charlie Cassell – who took seven wickets on his Scotland debut in July – Jasper Davidson and Oli Hairs adding further options to the group that went to the West Indies for the World Cup.
“It’s getting more difficult to pick a squad due to the competition which is really good for Scottish cricket,” explains the South African. “Charlie Cassell had a really good debut as did Michael English who got 100, and Jasper Davidson chipped in with a 4-for as well. So that’s really good to see our base growing.
“We’ve got the county cricketers as well who add to it and guys like George Munsey and skipper Richie Berrington who give us quite a bit of depth. We’ll probably mix it up over the three games. We’ve got a couple of guys [Michael Jones and Brad Currie] who aren’t available for the first fixture and we might look to change things around in the batting order too.”
Australia are missing one or two of their leading lights – Josh Hazlewood was a recent injury withdrawal – but Watson expects those selected to give this series the full respect it deserves.
“Australia are also building for the next few years of cricket and their series against England after they play us so we’re expecting them to give it a good crack with all guns blazing. They’re a world-class outfit with plenty of players to choose from so I’m sure they’ll be looking to perform well.”
Scheduling cricket in Scotland in September is usually an exercise in hope over expectation but, with full houses expected, Watson is hoping the conditions play ball to allow three full days of cricket.
“The Grange is a great venue for hosting a team like Australia and we're all hoping the weather plays its part too,” he adds. “If we can get three good days of cricket then I’m sure everyone will be delighted.”
Scottish cricket is keeping its fingers crossed.
