Scotland on Macleod nine as world No 1 England humbled

up too much width, couldn’t add another as Scotland passed 200 for the loss of only three wickets.

Macleod and George Munsey proceeded to pile on the second century partnership of the match to the delight of an increasingly vocal crowd who were beginning to sense Scotland could post something special.

Having reached 200 by the 30-over mark with seven wickets to spare, thoughts of a score approaching 400, a beyond fanciful thought when the first delivery was sent down, began to be contemplated.

In the end, it wasn’t to be quite that mammoth but the brilliance of Macleod drove the Scots on, ably assisted by the flamboyant Munsey, who fired a thrilling 55 off 51 balls.

David Willey was taking the most punishment in a below-par bowling display but most credit had to go to the Scots. There were stars right through the batting order but it was 29-yearold Glaswegian Macleod who burned brightest, adding three maximums to his 16 fours, and ending unbeaten on 140 from 94 balls.

Debutant Dylan Budge made a brisk 11 before being clean bowled by Wood and Michael Leask rekindled memories of his 16-ball 42 in the last home ODI against England at Aberdeen in 2014, when he stood and delivered a straight six off his first ball.

It was Macleod who took the plaudits, however, with every member of the English team sportingly taking time to give him a pat on the back and handshakes as he left the field to the acclaim of The Grange crowd.

The feeling that England’s superstars would be licking their lips at the belter of a batting wicket and compact ropes was borne out by the way they set about the pursuit, opener Jonny Bairstow bludgeoning a 54-ball 105.

The scoreboard was whizzing but Scotland’s attack kept their cool and, after dislodging Jason Roy and then Bairstow, continued to take wickets at regular intervals, 21-year-old left-arm spinner Mark Watt taking three, adding Sam Billings and Moeen Ali to Roy as his victims.

It still looked like England would inch their way to the target but the run-out of Rashid opened the door and it was Sharif who stepped up to finish the job with seven balls of the match

remaining.