THE time for fuller reflection will arrive after their final game on Sunday but, for Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer, leading a team into matches with New Zealand, India and Pakistan this week is something to be cherished regardless of the outcome.
Coetzer admits back-to-back defeats against Afghanistan and Namibia in the Super 12 stage served as a “reality check” after the excitement that greeted the Saltires’ three wins in the first round.
There will be little expectation on them to triumph in any of their three final games in the UAE – starting with New Zealand this morning - but, following a two-year period in which they barely raised a bat in anger due to Covid restrictions, even being back on this stage represents a positive development in what Coetzer hopes is an ongoing upwards trajectory.
Reaching the Super 12 phase has already guaranteed the Saltires a berth at next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia and the captain hopes that presents a platform on which to continue improving.
“In the last five weeks or so we’ve beaten three full member sides and before that we hadn’t played cricket for two years,” said Coetzer. “That’s a real achievement I would say.
“As an organisation we need to be bold and brave, to try to find ways to keep progressing. We have to not be satisfied with being okay, with just getting to the Super 12. We have to push the boundaries a little bit further - how that looks, I don’t know exactly.
“I would encourage everyone in Scotland to keep supporting this group of players and keep supporting the organisation as best as possible. We know there will be someone out there and someone who wants to come on that journey with us.
“It’s important we group together to find the path to the next level. We’re going to have to have some help to get there but we’re going to need some bold and brave plans - and bold and brave people - to be involved with us to help us get there.
“Getting hit hard by a couple of teams has hit home where the bar is now. It’s been a long time since we’ve faced that and it’s nice to get a reality check as well. But it’s also nice not to be afraid of it and be willing to take it on.”
It has been hard for Scotland to escape what this week’s opponents are capable of, with photos of previous World Cup winners plastered all over the hotel lifts. But Coetzer hoped that would bring an air of familiarity to his players rather than intimidate them.
“One of the things I mentioned to the guys was there’s a heap of pictures of World Cup-winning sides in the lift in the hotel,” he added.
“It was a case of how many of our guys had played against those players, individually amongst different teams, and before some of the guys realised the amount was stacking up.
“It might seem like an irrelevant comment but it was trying to get the guys to remember they’d played against and with some of the guys they’re coming up against in the coming days. We’re on the same field as them and we’re there for a reason.
“Guys have experience against these high-quality players but we have to go into these games believing we are equals. If you go into there with a clear mind and positive approach you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve.”
New Zealand may lack the allure of India or Pakistan with their fanatical supporters but they comprehensively defeated India in their previous game and Coetzer – who should return to the side following a finger injury - is well aware of their threat.
“We know they’re a fantastic side. There have been a couple of strong performances by them, guys putting their hands up to win games. They will come to push us as hard as they can. They only just missed out on the 50-over World Cup and will be looking to make the later rounds of this competition. But pressure does some funny things sometimes and we will be looking to assert ourselves as much as we can.”
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