Brandon McMullen vows Scotland will be back stronger in 2026 | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024

Brandon McMullen’s quick-gire fifty gave Scotland an excellent chance of pipping Australia in St Lucia on June 15 (Saturday). McMullen finished with 60 off just 34 deliveries, and his 89-run stand for the second wicket with George Munsey (35) really set up the platform for his side, who eventually posted a competitive 180.

However, fifties from Travis Head (68) and Marcus Stoinis (59) prevented Scotland from winning, and as a result, they crashed out of the tournament. McMullen, who has had a good tournament, says Scotland will come back stronger for the next edition in 2026.

“I think emotions fly high in the sport we play. It doesn’t matter if it’s a World Cup or a bilateral series. I think that’s the beauty of the game. But obviously, this World Cup, we did really well leading up to the game and, even today, did exceptionally well,” McMullen said in the post-match press conference. 

“I think as a squad, we stay quite level. We try and stay as level as possible and go from there and keep raising the bar each game we go to. Each day is a new day. Each game is a new game. We’ve really enjoyed ourselves at the World Cup and we’ll be back next time stronger.”

For McMullen, life, post the ODI World Cup Qualifiers last year was not great. He had an ankle surgery that put him out of action for nine months. 

Recalling that tough phase, McMullen says, “Last World Cup qualifiers was an incredible experience for myself, then the ankle surgery happened in later that season, and I was off cricket for about nine months. 

“So, it was difficult getting back and had to relearn how to do a few things, especially batting wise and bowling and fielding and a bit of everything really. I had to try and work out how to run and do all those things again, so it was a tough period but everyone supported me really well back in Scotland and It’s been really good from them.”

There was plenty of talk ahead of the game about how Australia was perceived to delay the win if necessary to put England out of the competition. However, McMullen was never drawn into that.

“I think Australia is a world-class cricket team. They have been for many, many years. They’re always going to put out a good fight. They’re never just going to walk over and let you win, so I’m glad that it was a close game today. We show that we can compete at this high level against the best players in the world, and again, yet again, we showed it tonight that no, we’re not far away from beating the best in the world,” the 24-year-old, who hit two fifties in three innings in the tournament, said.

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