Edinburgh: Scotland enjoyed the greatest victory in their cricket history by holding their nerves to beat World No.1-ranked England by six runs in a thrilling ODI here, Sunday.
Despite making a mammoth 371 for five, thanks mainly to Calum MacLeod’s (140 n o, 94b, 16×4, 3×6) brilliant century, Scotland were in danger of defeat when England’s Jonny Bairstow (105, 59b, 12×4, 6×6) was at the crease, but with his dismissal the target looked out of reach as they were bowled out for 365. Bairstow set a record by becoming the first England batsman to make three ODI centuries in successive innings.
England, after the end of a wonderful opening stand, rallied again, thanks to a 71-run eighth-wicket partnership between Moeen Ali (46, 33b, 3×4, 3×6) and Liam Plunkett (47 n o, 45b, 3×4, 2×6). But Safyaan Sharif sealed Scotland’s victory with seven balls to spare dismissing last man Mark Wood to spark a pitch invasion by jubilant home fans. Mark Watt (3/55) bowled well for the Scots.
Scotland saw captain Kyle Coetzer (58, 49b, 8×4, 2×6) and Matthew Cross (48, 39b, 10×4) share a century stand after Morgan won the toss. But they lost both openers in quick succession to be 107 for two. MacLeod, however, ensured a promising start was not wasted and together with George Munsey (55, 51b, 7×4, 1×6) put on 107 for the fourth wicket.
Brief scores
Scotland 371/5 (Calum MacLeod 140 n o) bt England 365 in 48.5 overs (Jonny Bairstow 105; Mark Watt 3/55) by six runs.
Sachin wants more chances for minnows
Mumbai: Scotland’s historic win over England has led to praise from Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar, who has called for the sport’s second-tier teams to get more opportunities to prove themselves against top sides. “Cricket has all the ingredients to become a global game,” Tendulkar said on Twitter Sunday after Scotland’s shock win over the top-ranked England. “Teams with massive potential like Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland along with many others have to be given more opportunities to play against the more experienced teams,” he added.