Scotland fly out to Nepal today, marking the end of two eras while ushering in the start of another.
This is the final series in what has been a challenging World Cricket League 2 championship, one that has seen matches delayed, postponed and rescheduled many times over due to Covid.
Finally the end is nigh with the Saltires having already clinched a top-three berth to book their place in the summer qualifier for next year’s 50-over World Cup. Two wins from their final four fixtures will also ensure they finish top of a seven-team tournament that began way back in August 2019.
It has been a long slog for all involved but for Scotland that perseverance has proved worth it. Playing at altitude in Nepal will provide a new challenge for many of their players but there is a determination to round things off on a high, no pun intended.
“I think we still need two wins to make sure we top the group outright,” said all-rounder Michael Leask. “We know we've done the hard work to guarantee ourselves a place in the qualifier but the way we've played, we want to finish on top.
"We've played really well in most camps. We've won three out of four in most series and played well in most of the places we've gone to. This is going to be new conditions for us and Namibia. Nepal on their home patch won't be easy so it's going to be a good challenge.”
The trip also marks the end of Shane Burger’s time as head coach. The South African has been with the group for four years after taking over from Grant Bradburn and Leask believes Burger has brought about improvements in that time.
“He took the team from strength-to-strength when Grant left and I think initially we were trying to find our feet, with his style,” added the Aberdonian. “We've beaten some big teams in big tournaments. Beating Bangladesh and West Indies [at the T20 World Cup], we're now showing under Shane we've taken on some big teams and beaten them. We're not just a one-trick pony.
“The slightly younger guys under Grant have now had four years' experience under Shane. Shane's taken that to the next level. He's been brilliant for us and I wish him all the best at Somerset. He'll thoroughly enjoy his time there.”
A new head coach will be appointed in due course but there are already signs of evolution on the playing side of things, with Jack Jarvis and Liam Naylor included in the travelling party.
“These two are exciting young players,” added Leask. “They bring a lot to the team. Jack is only 19 and Liam is 21 and it’s great to see them being given an opportunity.
“These guys might be called upon to win us a game of cricket. To give them this experience now will stand them in good stead. There's a lot of potential in these two and Tom [Mackintosh].
“Given where we are and the way we've played, we’ll maybe have that luxury of giving these guys a chance. We're not giving caps away, they have to be earned, but they need experience on the park.
"They're both brilliant players so it'll be deserved when they do get it. We've now got quite a settled side with an exciting mix of youth pushing through.
“The new coach is going to find it an exciting group of players to work with. Some are going to be down in the English county system but the ones he's got to work with in Scotland will be an exciting group.
"The more time we have with the new coach, the better it will be. It's always key going into a big two months of cricket, with the T20 qualifier straight after the 50-over qualifier. The more time with the head coach, the better really.”
That 50-over qualifier will be tough with only two teams from 10 set to reach next summer’s World Cup in India - and full members South Africa, Sri Lanka and Ireland all likely to be involved too.
"We've got an experienced group and we've beaten big teams,” added Leask. “It's just about doing it again. We've got the group and the ability. South Africa are in it at the moment but having beaten England, that may change.
"We can only control what we can control and that's the opposition in front of us on the day. We'll give our best to put on a good show and hopefully qualify.”
Things are looking more optimistic on the T20 front with Scotland last week announced as the hosts of the final qualifier to be held in July.
“We've got some home cricket, which is probably unheard of in the last few years,” said Leask. “Having cricket in Scotland will only benefit us, as it'll hopefully bring people back to watching T20 cricket.”
