Kathryn and Sarah Bryce on Scotland’s ‘absolutely mad’ journey to a first World Cup

The emotions attached to the actual tournament are mixed. Leading into the competition, Scotland beat Pakistan and the West Indies in warm-ups, and chatter began to spread that the newbies could spring a surprise.

A narrow loss to Bangladesh on the opening day was followed by heavy defeats against South Africa and a Windies team they had beaten just weeks earlier to end any hopes of making the semi-finals.

“It is hard to know what to feel,” says Sarah. “The achievement was getting here. But as competitive sportspeople, when you are actually here you want to win.

“We actually took a moment the other day to just try and take a step back. It’s really easy to get caught up in it. We have had a couple of heavy defeats and take that hard, but actually they’re very good opposition and we have got to learn from it.”

‘We have already created a legacy’

Before the opening fixture, the group held a presentation where each player was given their official World Cup playing top and Kathryn gave a speech that has subsequently been referenced by several of her team-mates.

“Before we played that first game I told the girls that we have already created a legacy and done something that no other team has done,” says Kathryn.

“And I think it is easy to always be looking for the next thing – and we obviously want to win games of cricket – but at the same time, if we do not win we have already done something that no other team has done for Scotland women and to remember that is a special thing.”

There is still a chance to end their tournament on a high. On Sunday, Scotland take on World Cup hopefuls England, a team they have never beaten. But if any group knows how to achieve something for the first time, it is this one.