Recent results shows strength and depth in associate cricket: Leask

Scotland did not have a crack at bowling at England in their first game due to rains, but they got a chance against Namibia and did not disappoint. They managed to restrict Namibia to 155 and then chased it down well. Michael Leask was the centre of attention for Scotland. He not just picked up the wicket of Gerhard Erasmus, but also put on 74 runs for the fifth wicket with Richie Berrington (47*) to to take his side home. 

On the night Scotland registered their first T20 International (T20I) win, history was being made in Dallas, as USA defeated Pakistan in a Super Over. Recently, Uganda also picked up a victory in just their second World Cup game. Scotland too put themselves in a good positon to beat England.

Leask believes that the depth inn associate show the depth that associate cricket has to offer. "The more teams, the better for me. You've seen today a fantastic associate game of cricket. You've seen another associate take on a full member and win," Leask said after his match-winning 17-ball 35.

"Associates get the associate tag, but we fight well above our weight and I think we deserve a lot more recognition than that, I believe. Yes, Uganda are playing their first tournament, they've had their first win in two days, they've played two games, they've got their first win. So, for me it just shows the strength and depth in associate cricket."

Leask also lauded the role his skipper Berrington played in the partnership. "I bring the energy to the squad and that's the way I bat, I guess. I hit the ball hard. If it comes off, it's exciting. At the end of the day, in the way Richie does it, it's a bit more finesse, a bit more class, and what wouldn't you want from the skipper?" Leask said.

"Richie's always someone I enjoy batting with because we always run well together. That was the discussion, hit the ball hard, see if we can sneak a few twos and then get ourselves wrestling in the arm wrestle, so to speak. 

"And then we kind of, we won that arm wrestle, so to speak, at that moment. And then we were able to put the foot back on the gas and then get over the line."

Scotland will be up against Oman next on June 9 (Sunday) in Antigua, after which they take on the mighty Australian side on June 15 (Saturday) in St Lucia. 

Looking ahead to the game, Leask said, "I'm not going to sit here and say Australia is not going to be a difficult game, I'm not going to sit here and say Oman is not going to be a difficult game.

"Because I know how tough the associate game is, Oman is yet to fire, it could be against us. So, we're going to have to bring our A game against both teams and I guess for us that's what we do on every given day, we take each game, game by game and look at the opponents and see what we have to adapt and bring."

Scotland currently sit top of Group C, having picked up three points from two games so far. 

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