The T20I series in Edinburgh marks the first bilateral clash between Scotland and Australia since 2013.
Mitchell Marsh and Richie Berrington prepare for the T20I series in Edinburgh on September 3, 2024.
Earlier this year, Scotland gave Australia a tough challenge during the T20 World Cup, where a win would have eliminated England from the tournament. The team is optimistic about advancing further in the upcoming three-match ODI series in Edinburgh.
After Brandon McMullen scored 60 runs off 34 balls, Australia was left needing 87 runs from 39 balls, creating a real possibility for an upset before Marcus Stoinis turned the tide. The previous match against England was called off while Scotland was at 90 for no loss, making the gap between advancing and elimination all the more painful.
With three matches scheduled over four days at home, and facing an Australian squad featuring some less seasoned players, Scotland sees a chance to secure their first victory against Australia—not just aiming for a single win, but for the series.
“We’re definitely looking for a bit of vengeance this week, aiming not just to win a game but to take the series,” said left-arm spinner Mark Watt on the Cricket Scotland website. “We can draw motivation from that game in St Lucia, but we also feel we have something to prove, as we believe we should have won that match and progressed further in the World Cup. While we can say we came close, there’s disappointment that we didn’t clinch the victory.”
All 15 players from the T20 World Cup squad are included for this series, with pace bowler Charlie Cassell joining the Australians after making an impressive ODI debut with figures of 7 for 21 against Oman.
“It’s a fantastic chance for our players to compete alongside world-class talent,” said Scotland head coach Doug Watson upon announcing the squad. “They are eager to deliver strong performances and challenge this Australian team. Our objective is to win this series. The opening game is crucial; securing a win there would set the tone for the subsequent matches.”
Scotland has gained this opportunity after Ireland was unable to host Australia due to financial issues. The last bilateral match between the teams took place in 2013, where Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh set a record opening partnership of 246 runs. Current captain Richie Berrington was part of that Scotland team.
In 2018, Scotland achieved a memorable victory over England by six runs in Edinburgh. However, chances to face top-tier teams outside of major tournaments are limited, and the players are eager for more opportunities.
“It’s frustrating that we don’t get regular matches against the top teams,” Michael Leask mentioned to BBC Scotland. “Even against teams like Bangladesh and the West Indies, we lack opportunities. We are open to any chance, as playing higher-quality cricket helps us improve.”
“We would love for them to play us more often, but we understand that scheduling can be complicated. We seek any match against top teams. This is our moment, and it would be beneficial for the higher-ranked associates to receive more exposure. We often exceed expectations, thanks to the talent within our squad.”