THE SCOTTISH STATEMENT Scotland prevail in high-scoring thriller; register maiden win over England by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Calum MacLeod starred with an unbeaten 140 © Getty A World Cup with lesser teams to ensure quality cricket throughout the tournament? Not many games will have more quality and excitement than the one the Scottish nationals witnessed at Edinburgh on Sunday (June 10). It was supposed to be a one-off game focused more on bringing England to ODI mode ahead of the five-match series against Australia but it ended up with Scotland sending across a major statement to the International Cricket Council, 12 months before the World Cup. Calum MacLeod's heroic efforts were all set to go in vain despite it helping Scotland post their highest ever total in ODI cricket. Jonny Bairstow came up with his own majestic quickfire ton that almost crushed the Scottish dreams but in the end, the bowlers staged a commendable comeback to pick up a nervy six-run win. A target of 372 appeared to be a piece of cake for the visitors once their openers added 107 runs in the powerplay. In a reversal of roles, it was Bairstow who went on a rampage to pick boundaries at will during the field restrictions with Jason Roy taking a backseat. Bairstow was severe in the ninth over bowled by Michael Leask, in which he hammered three sixes and a four. Three more boundaries followed in the final over of the powerplay that took him to 75 off just 35 deliveries. The assault continued until Mark Watt took a catch off his own bowling to send Roy back to the pavilion but by that time, more than one-third of the target was reached in just 13 overs. Bairstow departed soon after reaching a 54-ball ton but the man he displaced at the top of the order continued to keep the momentum going. Alex Hales batted like a man who had a point to prove as he took on Chris Sole in the 17th over to get going. By the time Joe Root was run out at the end of the 27th over, England had the game firmly in the bag needing another 152 off 138 deliveries with seven wickets in hand. But that's when the turnaround slowly began with Morgan and Hales getting dismissed off successive deliveries. Sam Billings, who received a rare opportunity in the absence of some big names, failed to grasp his chance as he chipped a full toss to the man at short midwicket. The writing was on the wall for England when David Willey was dismissed three balls later but their long batting order came to the fore when it mattered the most. Moeen Ali forged a vital partnership with Liam Plunkett to pull England back into the contest. With the chase delicately poised at the end of the 44th over, Moeen swung it completely towards England's favour when he smashed Richard Berrington for a four and a couple of sixes. But the pendulum swung yet again with Moeen departing in the following over leaving Plunkett to finish the chase. The veteran's decision to take a single in the penultimate over proved to be costly as Safyaan Sharif came up with a yorker to trap Mark Wood lbw to spark off wild celebrations. It was their first win over England, the side that's currently leading the ODI charts in the ICC rankings. Clinching a 736-run thriller against the top-ranked team after narrowly missing out on a World Cup spot was the perfect response possible to the governing body's decision to have a ten-team mega event next year. Earlier in the day, the Scotland batsmen enjoyed a fruitful outing in the middle after Eoin Morgan opted to bowl first. The openers Kyle Coetzer and Matthew Cross set up an ideal platform for the hosts with a century partnership in quick time. They took 70 runs off the powerplay and continued to build on the momentum before Adil Rashid inflicted the first blow by getting rid of Coetzer. Liam Plunkett then followed it up with Cross's wicket in the following over to help England fight back but the hosts regained control in a matter of few overs. MacLeod first added 93 runs with Richie Berrington and then joined forces with Georgey Munsey to pile on more misery. MacLeod, in particular, was severe on the bowlers as he first brought up his fifty off 36 balls and then reached three-figures off just 70 deliveries. It was his seventh century in the format and first against England. While Munsey fell after the pair added 107 in quick time, MacLeod continued the assault much to the delight of the crowd as he helped Scotland register their highest ever total in ODI cricket. It proved to be just enough to script a dramatic victory. Brief scores: Scotland 371/5 in 50 overs (Calum MacLeod 140*, Kyle Coetzer 58, George Munsey 55; Adil Rashid 2-72) beat England 365 in 48.5 overs (Jonny Bairstow 105, Alex Hales 52; Mark Watt 3-55) by six runs © Cricbuzz TAGS RELATED STORIES<doc-sep>ENGLAND'S TOUR OF SCOTLAND Scotland hope to test depleted England by Rob Johnston • Last updated on Scotland would look to continue their inspired run © Getty After beginning their season with an unsatisfactory drawn Test series against Pakistan, England begin the limited overs portion of their summer at The Grange, the picturesque Edinburgh ground, in an ODI against Scotland. For Eoin Morgan's men, the next 12 months is vital preparation for next year's World Cup where they will hope to win their first ever global 50-over title. If only the same were true for the hosts. Scotland will not be at next year's showpiece event after falling agonisingly short of beating Windies in the World Cup qualifying tournament in March. Defeat by 5 runs on DLS was made all the more galling because of a shoddy LBW decision just before the rain came. Had the ICC not decided on a boneheaded 10-team World Cup, there would be space for the likes of Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands, all of whom would be worthy of their place. As it is, Scotland have to contend with picking up the odd match against full members where they can. The game in Edinburgh will be the first time England have visited since 2014 when they comfortably beat the hosts in Aberdeen. Scotland were also brushed aside during the 2015 World Cup but are a different proposition now. They have beaten three full member countries in the past 12 months - Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka - and came close against Windies and Ireland. England, though, are an altogether different proposition. Ranked number one in the world in ODI cricket, they have won nine of their last 10 bilateral series and had an excellent winter, dominating aside Australia and defeating New Zealand in a topsy-turvy series. If they play well, it could be a tough day for the Scots but if they display any signs of early season rustiness, the home side will pounce. Scotland's chances of an upset have been increased by injuries to Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes which will necessitate a change in England's balance. They have also rested Jos Buttler from the trip to Edinburgh which means they will not be at full strength. However, a key factor in England's rise to the top of the world rankings has been their growing strength in depth and they have more than enough high-quality players to cope. Scotland have never beaten England in four previous attempts and that is unlikely to change on Sunday. However, in front of an expected full house of around 4000, they have the opportunity to prove to themselves and the rest of the world that they are a growing force on the international stage. A strong performance would also be a timely reminder to the ICC of the folly of their decision to make next year's world cup a 10-team affair. When: Scotland vs England, Sunday, June 10, 2018 Where: The Grange, Edinburgh What to expect: There could be the odd shower in Edinburgh tomorrow but there should be plenty of time to get a full game in. The pitch is expected to be good for batting although it has traditionally given some assistance to the spinners which, given the good weather in Scotland's capital leading up to the game, could be a key factor in the match. Team News Scotland: Experienced batsman Preston Mommsen, who returned to action last year after announcing his retirement two years ago, is included in the squad and will add to Scotland's strong batting line-up which contains captain Kyle Coetzer, Richie Berrington and Matt Cross. Safyaan Sharif, a star of the World Cup qualifiers, will lead the attack with Hampshire's Brad Wheal. England: Eoin Morgan will be without the injured Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes, two crucial components of England's best eleven, while Jos Buttler has been rested for this match. The absence of three all-rounders will likely mean a change to England's usual six-bowler method. Sam Billings will take the gloves and Mark Wood, David Willey and Liam Plunkett should form the seam bowling line-up with Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali providing the spin. Squads Scotland: Kyle Coetzer (C), Richie Berrington (vc), Dylan Budge, Matthew Cross, Alasdair Evans, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Calum MacLeod, Preston Mommsen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal, Stuart Whittingham. England: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood. © Cricbuzz TAGS RELATED STORIES<doc-sep>Edinburgh: Scotland beat England by six runs to record the greatest win in their cricket history as they held their nerve in an one-off one-day international at Edinburgh on Sunday. Calum MacLeod's superb 140 not out powered non-Test nation Scotland to a record 371 for five against an England side who are top of the one-day international rankings. It looked as if England would win while Jonny Bairstow was at the crease. The England opener made a quickfire 105 off just 59 balls to give the visitors the perfect start while chasing such a mammoth score. However, they suffered a middle-order collapse and the match ended with seven balls remaining when Scotland paceman Saf Sharif had England No 11 Mark Wood plumb leg before to seal a famous victory. Though Moeen Ali and Liam Plunkett hit some lusty blows to take England closer to the finish line, it was just not enough as the Scotland bowlers stuck to their plan to scrape out a memorable victory over the top-ranked ODI side. Mark Watt was the pick of the Scotland bowlers as he picked up three wickets giving away just 55 runs in his quota of ten overs. The win came in Scotland's first match since they agonisingly just missed out on qualification for the 2019 World Cup in Zimbabwe in March. With inputs from AFP<doc-sep>Edinburgh: Scotland's momentous victory over England came in their very first match since they were denied a place at next year's World Cup barely three months ago. A combination of a controversial umpiring decision -- with no review system in place -- and rain saw them just miss out in the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe. The International Cricket Council had already angered Scotland and many of their fellow non-Test nations by cutting the number of teams at next year's World Cup from 14 to 10. Former Durham and Warwickshire batsman MacLeod said Scotland's first international cricket win over England was a "massive statement". He added: "It does not take away what happened in Zimbabwe and everyone's feelings about the 10-team World Cup but this was a special day. "We want more games. That is the bigger shop window rather than personal side of it. "If the ICC and other international teams look at this game they will see we are not an add on. This should be a catalyst for more games." Fast bowler Safyan Sharif too echoed MacLeod's sentiment and said that the victory will help the team recover after the World Cup qualifier heartbreak in Zimababwe. "Definitely it does, It was just an incredible effort from the lads, they've just proven once again that they are capable of playing at this standard, and they did really well throughout the innings. Up top, it was tough in the second half but we managed to pull things back and did the job, so really... I'm lost for words, I don't know what to say." he said, while speaking to Sky Sports. Sharif added that he backed his ability to deliver under pressure, "I've been working hard on [reverse swing] towards the end of an innings and we managed to get that wicket there. It's unbelievable. I just knew if I bowl the right line and hit my yorker, it's going to tail [in], and luckily once again I managed to hit that yorker and got that wicket, which was an absolutely great feeling to get over the line," he said. "It means a lot to the crowd and a lot to us. We've been waiting so long for this victory and we managed to do that today with the positive attitude that the lads brought into the game, so well done." he added. Skipper Kyle Coetzer said that he was 'proud' by the way his team played and that he always backed his bowlers too deliver. "I am extremely proud first of all, but bowling is a trait we are starting to get very, very good at," he said. "With ball in hand, we've been very good over the last few years, and especially coming off the back of Zimbabwe, this being our first game of the year, it's been an outstanding performance. Look, 371 played 365, it's an outstanding game, bowlers found it hard on a flat wicket with small boundaries, but it's great to be this side of the fence." (With Inputs from AFP)<doc-sep>
Preview: England ODI and T20I captain Eoin Morgan has promised that his team will not take anything for granted when his side begin their white-ball season against Scotland on Sunday. Morgan's men continue their build-up to next year's World Cup, which will be on home soil, with a one-day international against the Scots in Edinburgh on Sunday. Scotland won't be at the showpiece tournament after agonisingly missing out in this year's World Cup qualifiers. But the non-Test nation have shown they had the potential to embarrass the sport's elite and Morgan was in respectful mood ahead of England's first match against Scotland in three years. "It should be a really good game," Morgan, whose England side are top of the ODI rankings, told reporters in Edinburgh on Saturday. "We haven't played Scotland for quite a while. "We watched them play in the qualifying tournament for the 50-over World Cup next year, which was an extremely competitive tournament and I don't think there was a lot between the teams, so qualifying was difficult. "It gives Scotland a lot more exposure and the days of not knowing who you are going to play against are gone. They are an extremely competitive side and we are looking forward to it," he added. After the Scotland match, England are at home to world champions Australia in a five-match one-day series. But as Australia completed their preparations for that contest with a one-day match against Middlesex -- Morgan's county -- at Lord's on Saturday, the England skipper was adamant he would treat Scotland just like any other international team. "Gone are the days when there are any potential banana skins or anything like that," the former Ireland batsman said. "Cricket is moving forward at a fast rate and every team is moving forward with you, so I'd expect it to be very competitive." England will face Scotland without injured all-rounders Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes or wicket-keeper/batsman Jos Buttler who is being rested. Sam Billings is set to take over behind the stumps, even though Test keeper Jonny Bairstow is in England's ODI squad. Alex Hales is in line to return to the side in place of Stokes and bat at number three Morgan, who returned from injury with a hundred for Middlesex this week, said of Hales: "He batted well at three for us in Australia and he came in the deciding game in Christchurch in New Zealand when Jason (Roy) went down and did exceptionally well. "There is a huge competition for places and we are very lucky." Turning to Billings, he added: "I think the batting decision is always difficult and we are spoilt with three keepers and they are all unbelievable batsmen. "Jonny has been in great form, Jos is world class and Sam is trying to get into the side. "It is a good opportunity for Sam, he has been away at the IPL and the Big Bash and done very well and progressed his cricket." -With inputs from AFP