In a country which is finding its feet in
International Cricket, Kyle Coetzer and Callum Macleod has turned out to be its
biggest Cricketing heroes, the former captain and middle star batsmen has been consistent
performers for the team and role models for young cricketers
In the first match of the Tri- Series against UAE (part of World
Cricket League -2) earlier this month, Kyle Coetzer became the first ever
player from Scotland to score 3000 runs in One day Internationals. In an era
where the individuals’ feats are less discussed as new bars are 10,000 and
12,000 in any format it might look like a very small achievement. But anyone
who follows cricket beyond Test nations would understand its importance.
Teams Currently ranked between 13-20 in ICC ODI rankings are the
ones who have struggled to get more games. Netherlands, who was no.13 was lucky
to be part of ODI league and hence played against top sides. But the remaining
had struggled to get frequent games against top sides. It is one of the reasons
why the introduction of ODI Cricket league was a relief for them as it also saw
the introduction of ICC Cricket World Cup – League 2. This meant that in 4
years’ time every team (Ranked 14-20) would play 36 matches apart from the
regular series.
Pic Courtesy : ESPN Cricinfo
It has been one of the prime reasons why the performance and
competitiveness of these teams have improved as they have got more and more
games to play. It also meant that players like Kyle Coetzer and Callum MacLeod
have been able to showcase their talent to the rest of the world.
Kyle James Coetzer was born in Aberdeen in 1984 and showed signs
of his talent right from a young age while playing County Cricket. This was the
time when Scotland cricket was finding its feet in international cricket. His
debut match against England in 2008 was abandoned and hence he had to wait
another year to play an international game . While he played in ICC World Cup
Qualifiers in 2009 (for World Cup 2011) it was ICC World Cricket League
Championship (2011-2014) which saw his real potential. He amassed 407 runs at
an average of 67.33 in 7 Matches.
When Scotland qualified for the 2015 World Cup, Coetzer got to the
big stage to showcase his talent. An opportunity he in cashed in, including a
magnificent 156 against Bangladesh at Nelson he amassed 256 runs in 6 games.
In 2018, Scotland missed out on qualifying for the World Cup, it
was huge blow for the Scottish Cricket who have been eying to win the rare
opportunity to perform on the big stage. Post World cup 2019, ICC started the
ODI League, 12 Test teams and 1 member who won the World Championship
League. Netherlands who won the
tournament became the 13th team and got the opportunity to play
against senior countries.
However, the ODI league also ensured that those countries who were
ranked between 14-20 in ODI rankings were not only given ODI status but also
regular chance to play. For this World Cup League -2 (2019-2023) was created. The seven teams were to play 126 matches with
every team playing 36 matches in 4 years. This came as big opportunity for
Scotland, It could be understood from the fact that in 11 years (2008-2019)
Coetzer played 52 matches but since inception of WCL-2, he has played 30
matches in 3 years, much more than some of the big name in International
Cricket. WCL has also given a huge incentive to players like Coetzer who is on
the last leg of his International Career.
Callum MacLeod is five years younger than Coetzer but has been mainstay
of the middle order for almost a decade and half. Having played his first international match
at the age of 19, his talent was evident right from a young age. In his early days though he did struggle for consistency,
a prime example was being in excellent nick in World Cup Qualifiers before 2015
World Cup. However, when the chance to impress the wider audience arrived, he
could muster only 48 runs in 6 games.
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Courtesy : ESPN Cricinfo
The World Cup Qualifier in 2018 at Zimbabwe saw thousands of
Scottish Hearts sinking in despair as the team couldn’t qualify for the World
Cup 2019 but it turned out to be game changer for MacLeod, as he scored 288
runs at 57.60 in 6 games. Since then, he
has risen to the ranks and with Kyle Coetzer and Richard Berrington have been
mainstay of the Scottish batting. His greatest moment which gave him
international recognition was his brilliant 140* against England in 2018 which
helped Scotland register a remarkable victory against England. It could be
termed as the biggest moment in 23 years of Scotland’s International Cricket
history.
MacLeod plays at no.4, a
spot which is reserved for the best batsman in the team. Along with Coetzer he
would be another batsman on whom Scotland would hinge their hopes of qualifying
for the World Cup in India in 2023.He became the second batsman to notch up 3000
ODI runs for Scotland in recent round of ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. With two hundred and two fifties in four
matches, he ensured that Scotland moves closer to qualifying for the World Cup
2023.
Both Kyle Coetzer and
Callum MacLeod have experienced what it is like to sit for months and then
suddenly being burdened by expectations. They have been through the phase when
cricket was in its nascent stage in the country. They have also experienced the
rise in the opportunity for the cricketers in Scotland. They have seen it all
in their journey for playing international cricket.
Their next aim would be to
ensure Scotland play at the Grand stage of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in
India. Playing at the biggest stage of
limited over cricket in front of the largest cricket audiences will give them a
different feeling. It might also take Scotland’s cricket to next stage. Who
will be better at doing so than the two cricketers who have been pride of
Scotland Cricket for a long time.
Most Runs for Scotland in
ODI Cricket
|
No. |
Player |
ODI |
Innings |
N/0 |
Runs |
Average |
100 |
50 |
Best |
|
1 |
Kyle Coetzer |
82 |
80 |
04 |
3051 |
40.14 |
5 |
20 |
156 |
|
2 |
Callum MacLeod |
88 |
86 |
07 |
3026 |
38.30 |
10 |
13 |
175 |
|
3 |
R. Berrington |
97 |
92 |
10 |
2515 |
30.67 |
03 |
16 |
114* |
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