Scotland’s cricketers yesterday set an example for their football colleagues by cruising to victory against the USA.
The Scots, preparing for the Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers, were always in control on their way to a seven-wicket win in Dubai.
Now the onus is on Gordon Strachan’s side to follow suit when they meet the Stars and Stripes in Friday’s friendly.
By then the bat-and-ball men will be in competitive action when they open their qualifying campaign against Bermuda in Sharjah.
Yesterday’s win gave them a timely morale-boost following their recent tour to Sri Lanka when results were mixed.
But Pete Steindl’s side stepped-up several gears yesterday to win with seven balls to spare.
Chasing the USA’s 133-7, Calum MacLeod led the way with a top score of 46. The Uddingston player shared in stands of 31 with Richie Berrington and 49 with Matt Machan.
MacLeod was eventually bowled by Neil McGarrell for 46 at a better than a run-a-ball, hitting five boundaries.
His departure paved the way for captain Kyle Coetzer to finish the job with a hard-hitting 35 not out.
Aberdonian Coetzer said: “It was a good performance against tricky opponents. Calum played another really good knock and that helped us get home with more than an over to spare.
“But everyone did their job. We bowled well as a unit and could have got them out for about 115 if a couple of catches had gone to hand.”
The Scots complete their preparations when they face Namibia today.