Venue: The Grange, Edinburgh
Dates: 4, 6 & 7 September
Start Time: 14:00 BST
Scotland's cricket team is confident they can pull off a momentous series victory against Australia in the upcoming three-match T20 series in Edinburgh. According to all-rounder Michael Leask, the Scots are ready for the challenge.
While Scotland has never secured a win against Australia in any format, they nearly pulled off an upset during the recent T20 World Cup. A stellar performance by Marcus Stoinis in St Lucia, however, dashed their hopes. In the same tournament, Scotland was in a strong position to defeat England before heavy rain caused the game to be abandoned.
All three matches of the T20 series will be broadcast live on BBC platforms, giving fans a chance to witness the action.
Leask shared his excitement about playing Australia on home turf, noting that the team is eager to build on their World Cup performances. He mentioned the challenge ahead but highlighted that having Australia on Scottish soil gives them a unique advantage.
Leask expressed, "We have an exciting squad that's ready for the challenge. Australia is one of the best teams in the world for a reason, but playing at home gives us a great chance. A series win would be the perfect end to what's been a great summer for us."
Scotland rarely gets opportunities to face top international teams outside of major global events, due to the selective scheduling by the ICC. The last time a top-10 ranked side visited Scotland was over two years ago when New Zealand toured.
Leask voiced his frustration with the limited opportunities to play against stronger teams, explaining that matches against the likes of Bangladesh and West Indies are scarce. He believes that playing more frequently against top-tier nations would significantly improve Scotland’s game.
He added, "It's disappointing we don’t get more chances to play against the top teams. The more high-quality cricket we get, the better we become. We’d welcome any opportunity to compete, but we know their schedules are packed. This is our moment to show what we can do."
Leask also highlighted the need for greater exposure for higher associate nations like Scotland, noting that despite limited opportunities, the team often exceeds expectations due to the quality of their squad.