Scotland national cricket team
The Scotland men's national cricket team represents the country of Scotland in international cricket and is administered by Cricket Scotland. They compete in international competitions organised by the International Cricket Council, including the Cricket World Cup and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. They play most of their home matches at The Grange, Edinburgh, as well as at other venues around Scotland.
Scotland's history in cricket dates back to the 18th century, and during the 19th and 20th centuries they frequently played touring teams and counties. In 1992, the Scottish Cricket Union severed links with the ECB and in 1994 they became Associate Members of the International Cricket Council. The Scottish Cricket Union changed its name to Cricket Scotland in 2001.
Scotland have played in three ODI World Cups and five T20 World Cup tournaments. However, their first win in either of these events did not come until they beat Hong Kong in the ICC World Twenty20|2016 T20 World Cup]. Scotland have played in every ICC Intercontinental Cup tournament, winning the inaugural edition in 2004. In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 matches played between Scotland and other List of [International Cricket Council members|ICC members] after 1 January 2019 are a full T20I.
History
Before ICC Membership
The first recorded cricket match in Scotland took place in Alloa in 1785. It would be another eighty years, however, before Scotland's national side played their first full match, against the English county Surrey in 1865, which they won by 172 runs. The first Scottish Cricket Union was formed in 1879, and the national team beat Australia by 7 wickets three years later. The cricket union became defunct in 1883, and Grange Cricket Club took over the administration of the game until 1909. The first match against Ireland took place in Dublin in 1888, with Ireland winning.Scotland played their first match to be awarded first-class status against the touring Australians in 1905, with the Scottish side being captained to a draw by Hubert Johnston. They also played South Africa, West Indies, an all-Indian team, and New Zealand before the start of World War II. 1948 saw Australia visit Scotland for two games at the end of their tour of England. These games, both of which Australia won by an innings, were to be the last international games for Don Bradman. The Don signed off in typical style, making a fine unbeaten 123 in the second match. In 1954, Scotland hosted a three-match to the touring Pakistanis, which they lost by 10 wickets. Five years later, they held India to a draw.
The Pakistanis returned to Scotland in 1971, winning in Selkirk by 154 runs. The following year, Scotland gave the touring Australia side a scare in a low-scoring match, before succumbing to a six-wicket defeat. Scotland hosted New Zealand in 1978, losing by an innings and 157 runs.
English domestic cricket
As well as hosting touring sides, Scotland frequently played English first-class counties in the post-war period, and took part in the Benson & Hedges Cup for the first time in 1980. After enduring several winless seasons, their first Benson & Hedges victory came against Lancashire in 1986. Their second win came in 1990 when they beat Northamptonshire, a match in which a 20-year-old Dougie Brown took three wickets. When the tournament was reduced to the top eight County Championship teams for the 1999 season, they were unable to qualify and they did not rejoin the competition thereafter. In 1983, they took part in the NatWest Trophy. Their first win in the knockout competition came against Worcestershire in 1998. Gavin Haynes hit 74 and Man of the Match Craig Wright took 5/23 as Scotland sealed a famous four-run victory.In the following season, they made it to the third round of an expanded version of the competition, beating Nottinghamshire Cricket Board and Dorset County Cricket Club before losing to Surrey in the Third Round. When the tournament was rebranded the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy, Scotland were unable to take part in the 2001 edition due to their appearance in the 2001 ICC Trophy. However they returned in 2002, enjoying wins over Middlesex Cricket Board and Dorset. In 2003, Scotland beat the Lancashire Cricket Board before losing out to Somerset. Similarly, the following year they enjoyed success against minor county Cumberland before losing to Essex.
In 2006 the tournament moved to a group stage, Scotland enjoyed a considerably better campaign, winning three games against first-class counties. Between 2007 and 2009, in what was now named the Friends Provident Trophy, Scotland won one game in each season. When the Friends Provident Trophy ended, Scotland joined the Clydesdale Bank 40, registering two victories in the 2010 edition. They won twice more in the 2011 season, when they adopted the name Scottish Saltires. However, in the following season they recorded just one victory, and their final season, in 2013, was winless. Then the Royal London Cup was launched in 2014, but no international teams were included. Since then, Cricket Scotland has expressed interest in playing in county cricket again, with the T20 Blast said to be their priority, but the Royal London Cup and The Hundred also of interest.
ICC Membership
In 1992, Scotland severed their ties with the Test and County Cricket Board and England, and gained Associate Membership of the ICC in their own right in 1994. They competed in the World Cup Qualifier|ICC Trophy] for the first time in 1997, finishing third. They were denied a place in the final only by Bangladesh, who were granted full ICC Membership the following year and Test Status in 2001. In the third-place playoff, they beat Ireland by 51 runs, sealing their qualification for the 1999 World Cup,Although England were official hosts of the World Cup, Scotland earned the right to host two of their matches in The Grange Club in Edinburgh.
Scotland's first ODI was played against eventual champions Australia. While they lost the game, they were competitive and a very strong Australia team reached the target after almost 45 overs.
The rest of the tournament featured some chastening defeats, however, especially to the West Indies and New Zealand, who raced their way to low totals. In what some described as the team's "own Cup Final", the team lost narrowly to Bangladesh. Nonetheless, several players went home with their reputations enhanced, including Gavin Hamilton, who scored 217 runs at 54.25 and John Blain, who took 10 wickets at 21.00.
The 2001 ICC Trophy saw them finish 4th, losing a play-off game to Canada, but they won the 2005 tournament, beating long-time rivals Ireland in the final. In 2004, Scotland further staked their claim as one of the leading associate nations by winning the inaugural Intercontinental Cup. However, they did not progress beyond the first round in the 2005 tournament.
2006
March 2006 saw Scotland embark on a pre-season tour to Barbados. They performed with some credit, although they only won one of their 6 games, against a Barbados XI. They owed much of their success to Nik Morton, who re-qualified to represent Scotland internationally in 2004. They competed in the C & G Trophy in English domestic cricket in the early part of the 2006 English cricket season. They performed better than expected, winning three of their nine games, and finishing eighth in the Northern conference.In June, they played their first ODI since the 1999 World Cup when they took on Pakistan in Edinburgh. Without key players Dougie Brown and Navdeep Poonia, they lost by five wickets. They finally got their first ODI win in the European Championships in August with a win over Holland in a rain-shortened game. They again missed key players for some games in this tournament though, and thanks to their loss against Ireland, finished second in the tournament.
During 2006 and early 2007, Scotland participated in the third edition of the Intercontinental Cup. They beat Namibia by an innings in May 2006, but draws against Ireland in August and the United Arab Emirates in January 2007 meant that they failed to reach the final. In December 2006, they travelled to Test nation Bangladesh for a two-match ODI series – their first outside the UK – but lost both matches heavily.
2007
In January 2007, after the Intercontinental Cup match against United Arab Emirates in Sharjah, they travelled to Kenya, first playing in a Associates Triangular Series in [Kenya in 2006-07|tri-series] against Canada and Kenya in Mombasa, where they finished second. This was followed by 2007 [ICC World Cricket League Division One|Division One] of the World Cricket League in Nairobi, where Scotland finished as runners up.They then travelled to West Indies for their second World Cup. They again lost all their games and failed to progress beyond the first round. Back in the UK, they competed in the Friends Provident Trophy, their only win coming against Lancashire. They also drew an Intercontinental Cup match against United Arab Emirates. An ODI against Pakistan in July was washed out.
In July, Scotland took part in a quadrangular series in Ireland against the hosts, Holland and West Indies. However, the endeavour was not a success. They lost their matches against Ireland and West Indies, with the match against Holland being abandoned due to rain.
At the beginning of August, Scotland were on Intercontinental Cup duty as they beat Holland by an innings and 59 runs. They then drew with Ireland in a rain-affected match, only gaining 3 points after a poor 1st innings display. India were Scotland's next ODI opponents in mid-August, which was shown live on BBC Scotland from Titwood, Glasgow. The match was reduced slightly to 46 overs after a couple of brief showers, but India won by 7 wickets.
Having reached the final of the World Cricket League earlier in the year, Scotland qualified to play in the 2007 [Twenty20 World Championship|Twenty20 World Championship] held in South Africa. They lost by 51 runs to Pakistan in their first game, and did not get a chance to play their other Group D opponents India, as the game was washed out without a ball being bowled.
2008
In July 2008, Scotland played a tri-series against New Zealand and Ireland in Aberdeen, Scotland. Scotland beat Ireland but lost their match against New Zealand.In early August, Scotland participated with five other Associate nations in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in Belfast. Despite an initial loss to hosts Ireland, victory against Bermuda secured a semi final slot. Throwing off the disappointment of an unexpected loss to Holland in the semi-final a few hours earlier, Scotland bounced right back for a 9 wicket victory over Kenya, to secure third place. However, with only two nations guaranteed to progress, qualification for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 was only granted when Zimbabwe confirmed that they would not attend the tournament.
On 18 August, Scotland played their first ODI encounter against England. Hosting the Auld Enemy, at the Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh. However the match was abandoned due to rain after less than 3 overs of England's reply to Scotland's 156/9.
In December 2008, Cricket Scotland, the governing body of Scottish cricket, took the historic act of giving three Scotland players central contracts. Bowlers Gordon Goudie and Dewald Nel and captain Ryan Watson became the first full-time professional cricketers based in Scotland. Nineteen other cricketers have been offered part-time professional deals.
2009
Scotland participated in the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in England in June 2009. They were drawn alongside Test nations New Zealand and South Africa in Group D, with both matches being played at The Oval in London.The first match, against New Zealand, was shortened to 7 overs per side due to rain. Scotland batted first and made 89/4, with Kyle Coetzer top-scoring with 33. However, three no-balls and a dropped catch enabled New Zealand to win by seven wickets with an over to spare.
In the second match, South Africa made 211/5, with AB de Villiers hitting 79 not out off only 34 balls. In response, Scotland were bowled out for 81, more than half of which was scored by Coetzer. The 130-run margin of defeat was the second-largest in terms of runs in a Twenty20 International.
2010
In 2010, Scotland took part in the inaugural ECB 40 tournament.Scotland competed in the qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates, to compete for a place in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies. They competed for a place with Afghanistan, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Holland, United Arab Emirates and USA. The tournament was disappointing for Scotland, going out in the group stage without winning a single match.
Scotland's Intercontinental Cup campaign was more successful as they reached the final in December – against Afghanistan – at the bespoke new cricket stadium in Dubai. Scheduled as a four-day first-class match of two innings each side, Afghanistan won the game in eight sessions. The match was live-streamed online by Cricket Scotland in agreement with the ICC.
ICC World Cup Qualifiers
During March and April 2009 Scotland attempted to defend the ICC Trophy they won in 2005. To secure qualification for the 2011 Cricket World Cup a top four place was targeted. They were also attempting to secure ODI status by finishing in the top six.Scotland started the tournament badly by losing three of their five group games. With only the points earned against Namibia being taken through to the Super Eights, Scotland faced a difficult route to the World Cup.
Scotland started the Super Eights well by beating Holland in their first match. Defeats against Kenya and Afghanistan followed. The result of which threatened Scotland's qualification for the World Cup as well as the possibility of losing their ODI status if they finished out of the top six.
Victory against United Arab Emirates in their last game, and an improved run-rate, thanks to the 122 run victory, ensured a top six place for the Scots, securing ODI status until the next round of World Cup qualifiers.
In 2012, Scotland achieved their first victory against a full member of the ICC when it defeated a Netherlands in 2012|touring] Bangladesh side.
The Scottish team qualified for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand, but was eliminated after six straight losses out of six matches.
In January 2017 Scotland took part in the 2017 Desert T20 Challenge. They won all three of their group fixtures, before losing to Ireland in the semi-finals.
Zimbabwe tour of Scotland in 2017
Scotland achieved their second victory against a full member of the ICC when it defeated a touring Zimbabwe side.2018
Scotland achieved their third victory against a full member of the ICC when it defeated a touring England side.2022
Scotland achieved their fourth victory against a full member of the ICC when it defeated the West Indies in the first round of the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup.International grounds
Scotland currently has five grounds which have hosted internationals.The Grange Club in Edinburgh. The club itself was founded in 1832, and the current location has been in operation since 1872. The ground seats 5,000 people and has hosted 22 ODI's and 27 T20I's, including two matches from the 1999 Cricket World Cup.
Titwood in Glasgow. Clydesdale Cricket Club, which was founded in 1848, moved here in 1876. Titwood hosted its first first-class match against Marylebone Cricket Club in July 1963. Between 1984 and 1986 the ground hosted an annual fixture against Ireland. It has hosted six ODI's, the most recent being in 2022.
Cambusdoon New Ground in Ayr. In 2006, Cambusdoon was approved by the International Cricket Council to host ODI matches. The ground hosted Scotland's 2015–17 ICC Intercontinental Cup matches between United Arab Emirates and Namibia.
Mannofield Park in Aberdeen. Mannofield was also approved for ODI matches in 2006. The ground's history dates back to 1879 when Aberdeen University played host to Edinburgh University. The ground also welcomed Ireland in 1930 and was the stadium where Sir Donald Bradman, who scored his last century on British soil at the ground in 1948. It has hosted 22 ODI's and 2 T20I's. The ground has played host to 11 first-class matches, the last of which came in July 2013 when Scotland beat Kenya in the 2011–2013 ICC Intercontinental Cup.
Forthill in Dundee. Forthill is the home of Forfarshire Cricket Club and was opened in 1880 with a match between Forfarshire and Glenalmond College. In the 20th century several first-class matches took place there, including games against touring Indians and New Zealanders. It hosted its first ODI's in 2024, playing host to Namibia and Oman in the 2024–2026 [ICC Cricket World Cup League 2|ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2].
Notable Scottish cricketers
Many famous cricketers have hailed from Scotland, most notably former England captain, Mike Denness, who was born in Lanarkshire and represented Scotland both before and during his time at Kent.Douglas Jardine, a particularly infamous cricketer, and a man who was vilified in Australia, was born in British India to Scottish parents. He developed leg theory, which led to the notorious "Bodyline" Ashes series in 1932-33. Despite living most of his life in England, Jardine gave his children Scottish names and asked for his ashes to be scattered in Scotland.
Arguably one of Scotland's best spinners - and also a respected journalist - was Ian Peebles, who was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1931, alongside Don Bradman.
Another Scottish spinner was Peter Such, who took 849 first-class wickets and made 11 test appearances for England. In a 1999 test against New Zealand, Such broke the world-record for the longest duck, surviving 51 balls and allowing England to add 31 for the ninth wicket in a scrappy draw.
Brian Hardie was a major contributor to the Essex side of the 1970s and 1980s, which won four County Championships, three Sunday Leagues, a Benson & Hedges Cup and a NatWest Trophy, in which he was Man of the Match after scoring 110 in a one-run victory.. The regular opening partner of Graham Gooch, Hardie retired with more than 18,000 first class runs.
Stirling-born all-rounder Dougie Brown enjoyed a fifteen-year career with Warwickshire and represented both England and Scotland.
The same was the case for all-rounder Gavin Hamilton, who played for both Yorkshire and Durham in domestic cricket, and starred in the 1999 World Cup for Scotland, before playing a test for England in the same year.
Tournament history
Other tournaments
| ICC Trophy / World Cup Qualifier | Commonwealth Games | Friends Provident Trophy | ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier | T20 World Cup Europe Regional Final |
Current squad
This lists all the active players who are contracted to or have played for Scotland in the past year and the forms in which they have played, and any players outside this criterion who have been selected in the team's most recent ODI or T20I squad.Key
- S/N = Shirt number
Records and statistics
International match summary – Scotland''Last updated 4 September 2025.''
One-Day Internationals
- Highest team total: 380/9 v. Netherlands, 16 May 2025 at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd, Utrecht
- Highest individual score: 175, Calum MacLeod v. Canada, 27 January 2014 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- Best individual bowling figures: 6/28, Josh Davey v. Afghanistan, 14 January 2015 at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
| Player | Runs | Average | Career span |
| Richie Berrington | 3,536 | 33.35 | 2008–2025 |
| Kyle Coetzer | 3,192 | 38.92 | 2008–2023 |
| Calum MacLeod | 3,026 | 38.30 | 2008–2022 |
| George Munsey | 2,487 | 42.87 | 2017–2025 |
| Matthew Cross | 2,215 | 23.56 | 2014–2025 |
Most ODI wickets for Scotland
| Player | Wickets | Average | Career span |
| Safyaan Sharif | 110 | 30.83 | 2016–2025 |
| Mark Watt | 108 | 27.25 | 2016–2025 |
| Michael Leask | 70 | 32.02 | 2014–2025 |
| Majid Haq | 60 | 32.91 | 2006–2015 |
| Alasdair Evans | 58 | 28.94 | 2009–2023 |
- Players still playing for Scotland are listed in bold.
| Player | Score | Opposition | Venue | Year |
| George Munsey | 191 | Dundee | 2025 | |
| Calum MacLeod | 175 | Christchurch | 2014 | |
| Calum MacLeod | 157* | Bulawayo | 2018 | |
| Kyle Coetzer | 156 | Nelson | 2015 | |
| Calum MacLeod | 154 | Port Moresby | 2017 |
Best bowling figures in an innings in ODI
| Player | Score | Opposition | Venue | Year |
| Josh Davey | 6/34 | Abu Dhabi | 2015 | |
| Josh Davey | 5/9 | Ayr | 2010 | |
| John Blain | 5/22 | Dublin | 2008 | |
| Safyaan Sharif | 5/33 | Bulawayo | 2018 | |
| Brandon McMullen | 5/34 | Bulawayo | 2023 |
ODI record versus other nations
''Records complete to ODI #4905. Last updated 4 September 2025.''
Twenty20 Internationals
- Highest team total: 252/3 v. Netherlands, 16 September 2019 at Malahide Cricket Club Ground, Malahide
- Highest individual score: 132, George Munsey v. Austria, 25 July 2023 at Goldenacre Sports Ground, Edinburgh
- Best individual bowling figures: 5/13, Brad Currie v. Ireland, 28 July 2023 at The Grange Club, Edinburgh
| Player | Runs | Average | Career span |
| Richie Berrington | 2,335 | 31.13 | 2008–2025 |
| George Munsey | 2,302 | 31.10 | 2015–2025 |
| Kyle Coetzer | 1,495 | 22.65 | 2008–2021 |
| Matthew Cross | 1,386 | 23.49 | 2013–2025 |
| Calum MacLeod | 1,238 | 23.80 | 2009–2022 |
Most T20I wickets for Scotland
| Player | Wickets | Average | Career span |
| Mark Watt | 89 | 21.12 | 2015–2025 |
| Safyaan Sharif | 85 | 23.68 | 2012–2025 |
| Michael Leask | 50 | 21.56 | 2013-2025 |
| Alasdair Evans | 41 | 23.26 | 2015–2022 |
| Josh Davey | 37 | 23.97 | 2012–2022 |
T20I record versus other nations
''Records complete to T20I #3303. Last updated 11 July 2025.''