Scotland over the moon after their first ever ODI win over a Full Member

The Scotland team is now one of the Associate nations who have been around for quite some time now. They have a team with a true leader and an experienced side which has played a lot of cricket over the years. They just have not been able to capitalise on the same.

However, they won their first ever ODI against a former Test nation. Zimbabwe are on a tour to Scotland and first of the two ODIs, was played on 15th of June and Scotland got the better of the visitors. The hero of the win was their captain for sure as Kyle Coetzer scored a brilliant century and guided them to a formidable total. He scored 109 of 101 deliveries to take his team past 300.

The Zimbabweans were struggling as their chase was struck with wickets at regular intervals. However, a fighting inning from Malcolm Waller saw Zimbabwe get back into the game but that was not enough as Scotland clinched a victory in the rain-marred ODI and registered their first ever win over a full member.

A happy captain

There were a lot of emotions at the end of the day as Scotland were ecstatic after the win. Waller was hitting the ball quite well and had already hit 5 sixes in his innings of 92. The Scott was happy and said that the whole team was over the moon.

He was talking to ESPNCricinfo and said, “When that ball was going to deep square off Waller, I was just praying for it to land inside the ropes because he hadn’t hit many inside. He hit them all over the rope or even out of the ground.

“Then, when that last one went up, just over the moon; really, really over the moon, really chuffed for the guys. You could tell by the emotions and the celebrations from the guys, we’re obviously really happy with the day,” Coetzer added.

A nervous De Lange

De Lange was bowling the 41st over and even after picking up 4 wickets, the left-arm spinner was nervous bowling to Malcolm Waller as he was smashing everyone all around the park. However, the spinner got his 5th wicket which ensured them a win after he picked up the all-important wicket of Waller.

“It was quite nerve-wracking. I must be honest because the one that went for six, I missed the length slightly, and then that one hit the length, trying to get him to hit into the wind, and then I was just praying for the ball to come down inside the rope and it was taken,” De Lange said.

He believes that this victory is the result of sheer belief of the team and a good effort. “Our victory is probably a result of the belief that we can do really well, can compete and beat the big boys. So to win, just everyone’s emotion afterwards, as soon as that last catch was taken, that relief is a fantastic feeling,” he added.

A disappointed Waller

Waller said that the games in Scotland were high scoring and they were confident during the break. However, he thinks that the two runouts of Hamilton Masakadza and Sikander Raza probably tripped the team.

“We’ve been following a couple of games that have been played here, and obviously they have been high-scoring. So we knew it is a decent batting track, and I think on average, guys are looking at 280-290,” said Waller.

“When you’re chasing a big score like that, you don’t want run-outs. You’re going to get run-outs in games, but it’s crucial not to lose your wickets like that. I think we got off to a really good start with Hamilton and Mire. But then just silly run-outs definitely put a damper, and then a couple of quick wickets after that definitely holds you back when you have to go at six-seven an over,” he added.