Doug Watson is here for a good time, not a long time. The South African has succeeded old friend Shane Burger as the new head coach of the Scottish men’s cricket team but only on an interim basis until the end of July.
This is no holding role, however, only marking time until a permanent appointment is made. Watson’s tenure may ultimately be brief but it comes as Scotland prepares for two significant World Cup qualifying events and having the right leader in place for all that demands will be crucial.
The first takes place in Zimbabwe in June when the Saltires will look to buck the odds and claim one of the two available places going at this year’s 50-over tournament in India alongside a number of full member nations. The second challenge in July is, on paper, less onerous, with Scotland hosting the European qualifier for next year’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA, with two places again up for grabs.
Watson is coy on whether he may end up staying with the team beyond that latter event – “shall we cross that bridge when we come to it?” – but plans on doing all he can to ensure the group is ready for a busy summer ahead.
He is currently in Antigua, having joined the team recently on their warm-weather training camp, with some of the players staying on to take part in the Cool and Smooth T20 tournament. The 49 year-old admits he didn’t know many of the Scotland group before accepting the post but plans on acquainting himself thoroughly over the coming months.
“It would be nice to make my name in Scottish cricket but it’s more important for the players to leave their mark,” he says. “They can make a real difference so this is a wonderful opportunity for them. If we hit a great run in Zimbabwe then these guys could qualify for a 50-over World Cup. There are a couple of guys in that team who are pretty desperate for that and will be giving 200 percent towards that and you never know. And to cap it off, if we can qualify for the T20 World Cup as well after that would be an awesome experience for all involved.”
Watson never played international cricket for the Proteas but enjoys an extensive coaching background, including serving as New Zealand’s batting coach during their recent Test series with England. Perhaps the most significant entry on his sporting CV, however, is the three years he spent as head coach of Namibia, a cricketing nation like Scotland that has had to scrap and fight for every success.
“I wouldn’t use the tough, I would use the word brutal,” he said of Associate cricket. “It can be really brutal as every game is like a final every time you take the field. My experiences in Namibia probably have taught me how to be quite level-headed and to stay calm under the pressure. As these boys are under extreme pressure every single time they take the field. It’s about bringing that experience to make sure the players are relaxed and ready to perform at their best abilities.”
Watson did not have far to turn for insight into the squad he has inherited having known Burger for more than two decades. But while his predecessor has filled him in where appropriate, the new head coach wants to make his own early impressions.
“My friendship with Shane probably goes back 20 years when we were playing domestic cricket in South Africa,” he reveals. “He brought quite a bit of success to this team so it’s probably just feeding off a little bit of his experience. But I’ve probably tried to come in with a fresh set of eyes and ears as if you get too much info you can come in a bit clouded and I didn’t want to do that. It’s important for me to build my own relationships with the players.”
The South African arrives in Scottish cricket during a period of off-field turbulence. The ramifications of last year’s Changing the Boundaries report - that concluded that Cricket Scotland was institutionally racist - rumble on, with chair Anjan Luthra having resigned recently while warning that devoting every energy – and budget - to resolving that one issue puts the entire organisation at risk.
Watson has been fully briefed on what he is walking into but, unsurprisingly, plays a textbook forward defensive stroke when asked about the subject.
“The fortunate thing for me is I’m coming in fresh and new, and have a pretty clear idea of what’s in front of me. It makes it easier for me as I know what my focus is and it’s to make sure the team are well connected, they feel safe around each other and that it’s a positive environment.”
