Scots suffer plane troubles in World Cup build-up
Scotland’s preparations for their crunch clash with Ireland were thrown into turmoil when their plane was commandeered by the Zimbabwean president.
The Scots were due to fly from Bulawayo to Harare on Friday afternoon for today’s crucial World Cup Qualifier with the Irish.
But they didn’t arrive at their destination until after midnight as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s intervention left the 15-man squad along with coaching and back-up staff waiting in Bulawayo Airport for eight hours!
A Cricket Scotland spokesman revealed: “The guys were all set for their flight when the president arrived in a helicopter and got on our plane to Harare.
“We had to wait for him to arrive there and send the plane back for us. In the end what should have been a simple 30-minute flight took more than eight hours when you include the time we were left hanging around in the airport.
“It was a long day and wait at the airport, but it doesn’t seem uncommon in this part of the world!
“We didn’t arrive in Harare until 12.30am, which wasn’t ideal before the squad’s last day of preparation for such an important match.”
Scotland trained at the Harare Sports Club yesterday ahead of today’s encounter which could see them clinch a place at next year’s World Cup in England.
Meanwhile, Joe Root led by example after dropping himself down to No. 6, but duly added 115 on the final day of England’s second tour match against a New Zealand XI at Seddon Park to his unbeaten halfcentury against the pink ball in the first.
England closed on 353 for nine on their second designated batting day, Root having hit 17 fours in his 135-ball century.