Cross purpose is to chalk up a Scottish double
● Batting hero set on follow-up victory
Centurion Matthew Cross has insisted Scotland’s stunning triumph over former world champions Sri Lanka will count for little – unless they can follow up with another powerful display.
Cross and Kyle Coetzer emerged as the batting heroes in Sunday’s seven-wicket success at Beckenham.
And the sides clash again at the same venue today.
Wicketkeeper Cross – who put on an opening stand of more than 200 with Coetzer – said: “We absolutely need to back up that performance in the second match.
“We don’t want the result to be a one-off and if we can keep up the momentum it would be the perfect build-up to the other big games during the summer.
“We will be in World Cricket League action on home turf and an important fixture with Zimbabwe.”
The win at the weekend was Scotland’s first ever against a top-ranking Test nation.
Former Aberdeenshire ace Cross – now skippering MCC Young Cricketers – insisted it
0 Matthew Cross, right, and Kyle Coetzer in action against Sr Lanka in Beckenham on Sunday. had been the ideal all-round team display.
He said: “The Sri Lankan batsmen got off to a solid start. However. our bowlers pegged them back, helped by some great fielding. They were looking at a huge tally, but we kept plugging away and took wickets at regular intervals on a flat surface.
“From my own point of view, it was good to watch Kyle at the other end smacking the ball around. That made it really easy for me and it was fun batting with him for such a long time.”
Cross ended up 106 not out, while Coetzer – who takes over the captaincy from Con de Lange today – hit 118 as the Scots reached the 288 target with more than eight overs left. Jenson Button believes he is ready for his return to Formula One as he prepares for the Monaco Grand Prix.
The 2009 world champion, who last competed in November 2016, will replace Fernando Alonso at Mclaren for Sunday’s race, with the Spaniard absent due to his involvement in the Indianapolis 500 on the same day.
Button admits it is strange to be driving again but he is eagerly anticipating being out on the street circuit in the principality.
The 37-year-old said: “It feels slightly surreal to be back in the cockpit.
“When the call came there was no hesitation – it’s a totally unique situation and a great opportunity,” he added.
“Although I haven’t turned a wheel on track yet in the MCL32, I feel well prepared.
“I’m looking forward to working with the team again and, as I’ll be on the other side of the garage this time around, I’ll do my best to look after the car for Fernando.”
This weekend’s race will be Button’s 17th Monaco Grand Prix.
He took the chequered flag during his 2009 championship-winning season and also achieved podium finishes in both 2004 and 2011.
“I’m looking forward to stepping back behind the wheel for one of the most crazy, unpredictable and exciting races of the year,” he added.
“Monaco is truly unique asaracetrackandrequiresa lot of work to fine-tune the car and optimise the set-up for the narrow layout.
“It’s always a challenge, a huge challenge, for any driver – but a really exciting challenge, and has always been up there in my favourite races of the year.
“Iknowthemonaco track well, of course, and I’ve done quite a bit of work in the Mclaren simulator already.
“I’m still fit, and I’ve been training probably more than ever.”
Button relinquished his racing duties this season but remains under contract with the Mclaren team until 2018.