Cricket: Aberdonian Michael Leask’s belief as Scotland prepare for World Cup qualifier

The Saltires are aiming to be one of the two teams that reach the tournament in India.

By Callum Law

June 16 2023, 6:00 am

Michael Leask, right, fancies Scotland's chances of qualifying for the Cricket World Cup

Michael Leask insists Scotland can upset some of cricket’s heavyweights to qualify for the World Cup.

The Saltires are in Zimbabwe preparing for the final qualifier ahead of October’s tournament in India.

Scotland’s campaign begins on Wednesday against Ireland, before they face United Arab Emirates, Oman and Sri Lanka.

Finishing in the top three in their section would take the Scots into the Super Six stage, from which the top two qualify for the World Cup.

With former World Cup winners West Indies and Sri Lanka, as well as other test-playing nations Ireland and Zimbabwe, in the qualifier, the odds may be against Scotland.

But all-rounder Leask is confident they can cause a stir.

The 32-year-old former Stoneywood-Dyce player said: “It’s a very tough tournament, but I’ll also say this, we’ve beaten every team that’s there.

“We’ve done it before and we can do it again – if you want to qualify for World Cups you have to do it the hard way.

𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗜𝗡 👊

Richie Berrington (41*) and Brandon McMullen (59)* see Scotland to a seven wicket win in today's practice game against @CricketNep!#FollowScotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

— Cricket Scotland (@CricketScotland) June 8, 2023

“If we could get through it would be a great achievement. There are four test playing nations in it, so I’m sure a few would be disappointed if an associate nation got through.

“But we’ve beaten every team there and it comes down to who’s best on any given day and you’ve just got to be better than the opposition on that day.

“There are big nations like Sri Lanka and West Indies, but we’ve gone toe-to-toe with them before.

“They will also feel the pressure of trying to qualify and it will come to who’s day is it going to be.”

Chance to right old wrongs

Returning to Zimbabwe takes Scotland back to the scene of one of their most painful defeats.

In 2018, the Saltires were on course to chase down 199 against the West Indies and qualify for the World Cup the following year.

However, when rain stopped play, Scotland missed out on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method by five runs.

It was particularly galling because, shortly before the downpour, Richie Berrington had been given out LBW – with replays showing the decision was wrong.

Had Scotland been able to appeal the decision – there was no review system in place at that event – it would have been overturned and the DLS balance would have been tipped in Scotland’s favour.

Even looking back on that disappointment, Leask still takes positives from it.

He added: “The only good thing to come out of it is that if we’d managed to complete that game we would have been at a World Cup.

“We went toe-to-toe with West Indies and held our own. We were five runs down on DLS, so we were right in it.

“Hopefully that doesn’t transpire again, some of us have had that experience of how much it hurt and that motivates you being so close, and now we’ve got the opportunity to put the wrongs right.”

Leask doesn’t want chance to pass him by

On a personal level, Leask is also determined to make the most of the opportunity to reach the World Cup.

He was part of the squad that played in the tournament in 2015, but now he feels at the peak of his powers and admits he doesn’t know how many more chances he’ll have to return to cricket’s biggest stage.

Leask said: “You don’t know if you’ll get another chance or what might happen in your career.

“For me I feel I’m playing as well as I ever have and there’s an opportunity to go and do it on a bigger stage.

Michael Leask, left, feels he’s playing as well as he ever has for Scotland

“The last time at a World Cup and the last time at the qualifier I was very inconsistent, but that’s five years ago.

“The team is more experienced and we’re in a good place. Most of the top six or seven batters have made hundreds for Scotland and the bowlers have taken five-fors and won games.

“Personally I think I’m just coming to the peak of my powers – I feel as good as I ever have.

“On the fitness front, I try to keep up with younger players, which is always a good challenge.

“I’m hoping this won’t be my last qualifier, but there’s no getting away from the fact I’ll be older by the time the next one comes around.”