BURGER’S RELISH

Scots coach excited by thought of tying up a Super-12 berth

SCOTLAND have enjoyed a week to remember so far in Oman but Shane Burger doesn’t want the euphoria and excitement to stop here.

Victory over the hosts in Al Amerat this afternoon will confirm the Saltires’ progress into the Super-12 phase as Group B winners and set up encounters with some of the game’s powerhouses such as India, Pakistan and New Zealand.

A defeat, however, would leave the fate of Burger’s men hanging in the balance, likely to be decided on a net run rate that currently doesn’t sit in their favour.

It would be cruel — albeit typically Scottish — if victories over Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea proved not to be enough to take them through and Burger does not want to leave anything to chance.

His players have won an army of new followers from all over the globe after their heroics these past few days and the South African-born head coach has asked them for one more push to keep the party going for another few weeks yet.

‘We know what’s on the line. All the players know what’s on the line,’ he said. ‘We have prepared for it and spoken about it.

‘And if there is any team that understands about a must-win game, it is probably going to be one like Scotland, who often go into competitions knowing that every game is a must-win.

‘We would love cricket to grow within the country and we need more and more people to keep taking us seriously. We want to be a top-ten nation. That’s a goal we have and our destiny is in our own hands to go out and send another message.

‘We spoke about topping the group. That was certainly a goal and something we wanted to achieve before we arrived out here.

‘We have planned for it and it wouldn’t surprise me if we did do that because the mindset is there and the belief is there.

‘There’s a nation’s hopes resting on the game and we know what that all represents. We’ve already created history by winning two games, more than any other Scottish team has done previously — but we want to take it one step further.’

Burger is something of an optimist and has encouraged his players to take a similarly positive approach ahead of the biggest game of most of their careers.

He added: ‘It’s something I mentioned to the group. We’re allowed to dream, we’re allowed to do unrealistic things.

‘The support from Scotland, the fans and the families, has been phenomenal. I’ve no doubt we’ve picked up a lot more fans during this tournament and, ultimately, it’s all about the next generation, a young person — boy or girl — who wants to put on a Scotland shirt.

‘The support we have had has been nothing short of incredible. The messages you get are wonderful. It’s amazing the ability sport has to pull a nation together and it allows people to dream.’

Burger believes Scotland are yet to display their best cricket and hopes everything clicks into place against Oman this afternoon.

‘The ability to win really big moments has been key so far,’ he added.

‘We’ve actually done that without really getting out of third gear yet. We’ve not put together a full game of cricket yet. We’ve shown glimpses but we have to bring it all out and go again.

‘There is a real confidence that has brewed within the group for the last month.

‘We’re looking forward to seeing what this game brings.’