It is Scotland's time among the associates

Scotland first appeared in the world cup in 1999. They missed the 2003 edition and they reappeared in 2007. Now Scotland is back in the World Cup again after a break of eight years. They initially missed the world cup boat by finishing 5th in the WCL Championship. Later on 30th January 2014, they defeated Kenya in ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier Super Sixes game to enter the final of that competition and hence making it to the world cup this time. They have lost all eight matches they have played across the 1999 and 2007 campaigns and they would like to set this record right.

Their preparation seems to be on the track. They thrashed Ireland by 179-run in the warm-up match and gave an excellent fight to West Indies in the second practice game, before losing by three runs chasing 314. Scotland will be really high in spirits after their performance in the warm-ups especially against the West Indies.

Scotland looks like a settled team. Kyle Coetzer, the opener scored 96 against West Indies and his opening partner Calum Mcleod is also among runs. Richie Berrington has struck half-centuries in both the warm-up matches, while Matt Machan has scored 103 from 108 balls against Ireland in the warm-up. Preston Mommsen, skipper and the ICC Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of 2014 also scored a half century against Ireland. He was second-highest run-scorer in the world cup qualifier, with a tally of 520. In brief, Scotland's batsmen are among runs consistently. 

In the bowling department Alasdair Evans, the medium-pacer, took seven wickets in the practice matches. Off-spinner Majid Haq is a veteran and adds experience to the bowling line up. Iain Wardlaw is also among wickets right from the tri-nation series (Ireland and Afghanistan) in January this year.

After the opening match against Sri Lanka, New Zealand would consider this game a straightforward challenge. New Zealand’s batting line-up runs deep and all of them are in terrific form. Ross Taylor was the only batsman to not have made a substantial contribution in the tournament opener but he is too good a player to be out of form for a long time. The pace trio of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Adam Milne looked incisive and Vettori will be the spin option.

Brendon McCullum, the captain, has indicated that some players would be rested for the match against Scotland. So, New Zealand may not sport the same XI against Scotland. Who will be rested will be known only at the toss. At the same time, they have to strike a balance between resting players and being complacent against the modest opponent.

With Ireland defeating West Indies, the game between New Zealand and Scotland will be looked at with keen interest, but New Zealand in its current form will be too difficult to beat.