SCOTLAND THE GRAVE
World No.1 England buried by the super TARTAN TERRORS
ENGLAND were the shower of Scotland after losing to the Auld Enemy for the first time ever by six runs in a Braveheart-stopper.
Calum MacLeod was the Highland hero with a remarkable 140 not out to set up a record score of 371-5, while Safyaan Sharif completed the win when he trapped Mark Wood lbw to spark a pitch invasion (left).
“We didn’t play anywhere near to our
ENGLAND were skewered by Scottish cricket’s very own Highlander who once fielded for them in an Ashes battle.
Calum MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod secured immortality with a blistering 140 not out as Scotland beat England for the first time by six runs in a thriller.
And the man nicknamed Highlander after his namesake in the Hollywood film, will not forget in a hurry the day he sent England home tae think again.
“To take the step up to beat a full England side, ranked No.1 in the world, is a massive statement from Scottish cricket,” said MacLeod, still hurting from the failure to qualify for the World Cup.
“It doesn’t take away what happened in Zimbabwe and everyone’s feelings about the 10-team World Cup but this was a special day.
“Performances like this can only push our case, this should be the catalyst for more games. We want to be brave enough to walk through the door and win games, and not be plucky Scottish losers.”
There was nothing plucky about this game, with records broken at the picturesque Grange Club ground in Edinburgh thanks to a belter of a pitch, a lightning quick outfield and some of the shorter boundaries around.
Jonny Bairstow hit a brutal 105 off just 54 balls, to become the first Englishman to score three consecutive ODI centuries, but unlike MacLeod could not go on to turn it into a match-winning innings.
MacLeod’s 50 came from 36 balls, his hundred from 70 and by the time he walked off unbeaten at the end of the Scotland innings they had reached 371-5 – a record for an Associate nation – and he had faced only 94 deliveries.
Originally a fast bowler, MacLeod joined Warwickshire and in 2009 appeared as a substitute fielder in the Ashes Test at Edgbaston before reinventing himself as a batsman.
England skipper Eoin Morgan (above) said: “They’re a good side and we knew we’d have to play pretty well, but should have won it. We were a bit rusty.”
At 347-7, Moeen Ali had dragged the game back England’s way, but with 25 needed from 27 balls he went for another big shot and opened the door to the Scots once more.
Adil Rashid ran himself out, and if you are relying on Mark Wood to get you over the line, the game is up.