‘Scots motivated to prove they deserve to play best’

Scotland bowler Brad Wheal suggested proving lower-ranked teams deserve more opportunities is a greater motivation than getting one over their old rivals when they meet England in the T20 World Cup on Saturday.

Like many non-Test playing sides, Scotland barely face the major cricket nations outside of World Cups.

Saturday’s meeting in Kolkata, which both sides need to win to keep their destiny in their own hands, will be Scotland’s first against England since the group stage of the 2024 World Cup.

They had not met before that match since Scotland stunned England in a one-day international in Edinburgh in 2018.

“I don’t think it changes much in terms of how we approach these games, but it’s definitely in the back of a few guys’ minds that these opportunities don’t come around every day for a team like us,” Wheal said.

“It’s just the opportunity to play in these big games against the best of the best.

“Obviously, there’s an incredible talent pool of players in associate nations that don’t always get the opportunity to go out there and play in these games.

Scotland had England on the back foot in their 2024 meeting in Barbados by reaching 90-0 in 10 overs.

England were facing a tough chase of 109 in 10 overs before rain wiped out the match.

In the 2018 ODI, Scotland made 371 at The Grange before bowling England out for 365.

“That’s obviously a long time ago and we can obviously take some confidence out of that, but it’s a completely new team from both sides,” Wheal said.

“Obviously we understand it’s a massive rivalry in all sports.

“We just see it as an amazing opportunity to really go out there and just show everyone what we can do as a team.”

Zimbabwe beat Australia in Colombo on Friday in the first major shock of the T20 World Cup.

Others have come close to major upsets, however.

Nepal lost to England in a final-ball thriller, the United States had hosts India 77-6 and Netherlands came close to beating Pakistan.

“Skill levels across the board are getting better and better, players are getting exposure playing in a few different leagues, obviously there are spots for a few associate players and teams around the world,” Wheal said.

“At the end of the day, it just comes down to opportunity.

“You’ve got guys who are playing a lot more cricket around the world and getting the experience that they need. That gap is definitely closing.”

Scotland, who lost to West Indies in their first match before beating Italy in their second, initially missed out on qualification for this tournament.

They were added with two weeks’ notice when Bangladesh opted to boycott and Wheal said the last-minute nature of their call-up has helped the players.

“It definitely takes the sort of nerves out of it because you’re just sort of thrust into the situation,” he said.

“But like I said, at the end of the day, the guys have been training hard.

“They know their skills and they back their talents.