Hobart: Scotland’s players feel they will return richer for the experience and thrill of having played against some of the finest cricketers in the game, even though they will finish bottom of their group at this World Cup.
Earlier this week they bowled against Sri Lankan greats Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan and on Saturday they will take on David Warner and Glenn Maxwell of Australia.
All four are among the most destructive batsmen in the world who can test the abilities of even the most skilful of bowlers. But Scotland skipper Preston Mommsen wasn’t concerned, saying: “It’s invaluable. Not only for the bowlers, but for the batters to be able to witness how they go about their needs in such a composed nature.
“We were under a lot of pressure with the ball when Kumar and Dilshan were batting. They made things look very easy out there in the middle and they showed they have got a lot of time to play their shots.
“We were under the pump and quite reasonably looking at 400-plus there. So I think we took a lot out of it and we kept them to 360 by taking wickets. I think throughout the tournament we’ve taken wickets. We have a pretty good strike rate as a bowling unit, which is something we’re quite proud of.”
Mommsen wants to do the same against Australia.
“Hopefully tomorrow [Saturday] it could be more of the same. We will learn from this match and correct the mistakes we committed against Sri Lanka,” he said.
“The key for us is to stay composed for as long as possible — even if these quality players do get in and they get partnerships going. For us, it’s about hanging on and creating chances, even if that means creating chances in the field. We have to make up in other areas. Sri Lanka was a huge learning curve for us and hopefully the bowling unit can stand up tomorrow.”
Asked about taking on the host team and favourites to win the World Cup, Mommsen said: “It’s obviously a huge game. It’s a huge honour as well to be playing against the host nation. We obviously expect a pretty good crowd as well. So that will of course amplify everything.
“It will be a huge arena for us. But it’s something that we, as a group, are looking to embrace. For an associate nation, these sorts of games don’t happen very often, so it’s very exciting for us. We have to stay level, stay composed for as long as possible and try to find a way into the game as early on as possible.”
Mommsen praised Scotland’s 24-year-old pacer Josh Davey, who is currently the second-highest wicket-taker in the World Cup with 14 victims.
“Josh is an interesting one. He’s one of these bowlers that, ever since I started playing with him, he’s had a knack for taking wickets in difficult situations.
“All I need to do is just throw the ball to him and he could easily have a spell where he picks up two or three in the space of two overs. You want guys like that in your bowling line-up, so it’s been a brilliant tournament for him. We need him to step up again tomorrow and have a huge game for us.”
