Scotland head coach Owen Dawkins is confident his side can end a 12-year wait and secure qualification for next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Scotland have featured in just three editions of the 50-over World Cup, with their most recent appearance coming in 2015. They went winless in all six matches in Australia and New Zealand that year. However, the Scots have taken a significant step towards returning to the global showpiece after securing their place in the 2027 World Cup Qualifier through their impressive campaign in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2.
Scotland one step away from World Cup Scotland now need to finish among the top four at the Global Qualifier at the start of 2027 to book their place at the World Cup. Dawkins, who took charge as Scotland head coach at the end of last year, believes his team has enough quality and momentum to achieve the feat. "We are in a good place just now," Dawkins told Cricket Scotland, as quoted by the ICC. "This series has demonstrated the character and quality within this Scotland side. Securing qualification for the Global Qualifier is a significant achievement, and everyone involved can be proud of the progress we have made."
'It would be a magnificent achievement' Scotland's coach also stressed the importance of ODI cricket and said reaching the World Cup would be the pinnacle for the current group. "ODI cricket remains a hugely important format for the global game, and it would be a magnificent achievement if we reached the World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia," Dawkins said. "It would represent the pinnacle for us as a group. This is a format that we need and world cricket need to continue investing in to help our players develop and to enable our sport to grow, strengthen and thrive."
Batting depth boosts Scotland Much of Scotland's success in League 2 has been driven by their batting unit. George Munsey, Brandon McMullen and captain Richie Berrington have all made important contributions as Scotland climbed to the top of the standings during their recent home tri-series against Canada and the UAE. McMullen has also provided valuable contributions with the ball, while young spinner Lyle Robertson made a huge impact on debut against Canada by claiming six wickets. The emergence of several players has created healthy competition for places ahead of the Global Qualifier.
Dawkins welcomes selection headaches Dawkins believes the competition for places is a positive sign, particularly after several players produced standout performances during the recent series. "There were some outstanding individual performances over the last fortnight. Fin McCreath scored his maiden international century, Richie Berrington produced a fantastic hundred in the final match, while Lyle Robertson enjoyed an amazing debut, with the fourth-best bowling figures in ODI cricket history," he said. However, Dawkins was more pleased with Scotland's collective performances than individual milestones. "Two matches in the series went right down to the final few overs, while four of our last six victories have come in the closing stages of games," he said. "That success is not down to luck, but from the skill levels within the squad, backed up by hard work, commitment and dedication shown by everyone involved," he said.