Kyle Coetzer on England vs Scotland, the World Cup fixture that could have been if not for one dodgy lbw call
Exclusive: Kyle Coetzer recalls the game that saw Scotland miss out on a World Cup place
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Save for one dodgy lbw call, Scotland’s one-day international against England in Edinburgh on Sunday would have been a dress rehearsal for a clash between the teams at next year’s World Cup.
Scotland’s moment of injustice came in the 32nd over of their run chase in a winner-takes-all contest against West Indies at this year’s World Cup qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe when Richie Berrington was dismissed leg before by Ashley Nurse to a delivery that was clearly drifting down the legside.
West Indies went on to win the match by five runs on Duckworth-Lewis after rain brought a premature end to Scotland’s pursuit of 199. The loss of Berrington’s wicket – the fifth in the innings to fall – proved crucial to the outcome. Indeed, the DL calculation would have fallen in Scotland’s favour had they been only four wickets down when the rain came.
While nobody is suggesting the West Indies benefitted from deliberate favouritism in that match in Harare, there is still a real sense of grievance among Associate nations about the International Cricket Council’s decision to cut the World Cup from 14 teams down to 10 for next year’s tournament in England & Wales.
Kyle Coetzer, Scotland’s captain, said: “I’m proud of how we went about things in Zimbabwe. But the state of the tournament having only two qualifiers was complete madness. You look at developing the game and if you see it from a youngster’s point of view they’ll be like ‘well I’d like to play for Scotland but I’m not going to play in any World Cups, what have I got to aspire to?’
“They will probably think they might as well go and try play rugby or tennis or something else because there are tournaments to push for in those sports. That is the case this time around for the World Cup but we’re still yet to find out what will happen with the next one.”
Coetzer was recently appointed to the ICC’s Cricket Committee, where he will help shape the future of the sport alongside names such as Andrew Strauss, Mahela Jayawardene, and Shaun Pollock.
As the representative for Associate nations, Coetzer will hope to lobby from within to increase the number of teams again for the 2023 World Cup in India.
“That’s high on the agenda I’d guess for every Associate nation and I’ll be trying to represent that when it’s appropriate,” he added.
The recent ascension to Test status for Afghanistan and Ireland is, Coetzer believes, something for Scotland to aim for.
“It’s what we’ve got to continue to aspire to,” he said. “Seeing Ireland play their first Test match against Pakistan last month and Kevin O’Brien scoring his hundred, we were all cheering for them because essentially we still see them as one of ours. Fair play to them and their development, what they’ve done to get to that position.
“As players we want to play against the best in the world, people you’re watching on the TV all the time and there’s no reason why Scotland can’t be one of those nations. We’re full of exciting cricketers, full of quality and skilful players and we are in a position to challenge as well as we ever have done against some of these top nations. Look at us beating Zimbabwe last year, then beating Sri Lanka in an unofficial game quite convincingly. These are signs of huge progress.”
Coetzer hit a century in that shock win against the Sri Lankans in Beckenham ahead of last year’s Champions Trophy.
Beating England, who have risen to No 1 in the ODI world rankings after six successive series wins, would be another thing altogether. Scotland last hosted their neighbours in Aberdeen in 2014, with the teams also playing each other in the 2015 World Cup in Christchurch.
England, though, are an entirely different proposition now, following their dramatic transformation over the past three years thanks to an adherence to a no-fear, attacking style of cricket.
“It’s great to see they’ve gone through that transition and come out the other side,” said Coetzer. “I’m not surprised actually. They have embraced a new culture and new style of playing the game. They’ve done very well. We’ve been going through a similar process and this game is a great opportunity. The boys will be well up for it.
“England are No 1 in the world for a reason. We know we have to play extremely well and they have to play probably below their standard for us to stand a huge chance. But it only takes one player to have an outstanding day and it gives you a massive opportunity. Strange things do happen.”
Sunday’s match will be Coetzer’s 50th ODI. “It will be a special occasion walking out against the Auld Enemy and for that to be my 50th makes it even more special. Whatever sport it is, whether it be cricket, football or rugby whenever England and Scotland go out on the field there’s a different feel to it – an exciting feel. It’ll be a great day I’m sure.”
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