As Scotland beat Oman to advance to Super 12. Left-arm spinner Mark Watt said players are to playing ‘must-win’ games. And he was confident that he could make a place for himself in the Super 12. “In associate cricket we are the big games. In associate cricket everything is always a win-win game. It’s tough. That’s why people is to playing the big game, the game must be won. But now we’re just off the charts. Moon on top,” he said at the presser. “I think it’s unbelievable but not unbelievable. We were pretty confident we could do it, and the people are absolutely buzzing.”
Scotland entered the 2021 T20 World Cup with just one win in the tournament’s history. However, the team led by Kyle Coetzer made a clinical performance during the first round of the World Cup to not only qualify for the Super 12s for the first time, but also win all three matches to finish top of their group, which Bangladesh Includes upsets against.
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Mark Watt Said Scotland Were Neat With their Bowling Plans
Scotland were neat with their bowling plans. Both the fast bowlers and the spinners kept it tight by attacking the stumps. And the Oman batsmen not gave any place to get off their hands. Such was Scotland’s grip on the proceedings that only two batsmen crossed the 30-run total. And none of them scored with a strike rate of more than 120. “I wouldn’t say they succumbed to pressure. I think we bowled well to our plans. It takes a lot of planning. A lot of our analyst George McNeill’s work goes into it. He puts in a lot of hours. I think we bowled well for our plans. Used the big boundary well, and yes, I think we were just going to save the day.”
With momentum on his side, Mark Watts also reassured the team to create some mess in Super 12. Where they will be up against formidable opponents like India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Afghanistan in Group 2. “I think we’re going to make some trouble. I don’t understand why not. We’ve done it before.”
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We have Beaten the Best ODI Team in the World, Says Mark Watt
“We have beaten the best ODI team in the world. And have beaten Bangladesh there. I think we are in really good form. I think the teams will not take us lightly. They should be worried about Scotland. We have been in great form and have gained a lot of momentum going forward.”
Mark Watts has been one of the key players in Scotland’s bowling plans so far this tournament. The left-arm spinner, who has over six years of experience in the international circuit, has picked up three wickets at an economy rate of just 5.41. He has also displayed smart bowling by bowling from wide part of the crease to lock the batsmen in the room. On several occasions, he has also bowled from behind the crease as a variation and used a cross-seam. “I was happy. I think if you said I would go for 20-odd after four overs, I would have taken it into such a big game. It’s tough to defend that small team with Omani big hitters , and I’m happy with that performance. I thought all the bowlers bowled brilliantly again.”
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Watt Feels Bowling Spin is tough at The Grange in Scotland
Mark Watt’s ability to outwit the batsman with subtle variations of his pace and angles can be put down to bowling at his homeground – the Grange Club. The ground is on the shorter side and the outfield is also fast. And the finger spinners will have to find new ways to restrict the opposition. Mark Watt feels bowling spin at The Grange in Scotland is tough. It’s a fairly small ground, it is a sharp outfield, so it’s a good wicket there. I think if you can bowl there. If you can bowl spin there, you can bowl. anywhere. It’s a really nice ground, a great venue and a great wicket. If you can bowl spin there – you need to think of different variations to keep the batsman guessing when it’s just finger spin.“
