Women’s T20 World Cup: Scotland create legacy in first appearance in tournament

Scotland are coached by Craig Wallace, a 34-year-old former men’s international, who was an unused member of the squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup.

“This has been the best year of my life,” says Wallace.

“It sounds stupid, but I was a bit-part cricketer. In and out of the team my whole career and I wouldn’t say I really did much.

“But now, to be an important part of growing the women’s game is amazing.”

Before the competition, Wallace was awarded a three-year full-time deal, having previously been in the role as interim head coach working two days a week.

“Now we can actually sit down and plan,” says Wallace.

“We’ve made the World Cup, but how are we going to do it again and how are we going to beat these teams?”

World Cup wins are not easy to come by. Bangladesh’s victory over Scotland was their first since 2014.

But if any group is capable of achieving things for the first time it is this one.

Scotland women’s first match took place in 2001 and the squad today carry a flag with them that has been signed by every player that has ever represented the nation.

“It’s a really special piece of history,” says Sarah Bryce, who made her Scotland debut nine years ago in a county match against Somerset alongside Kari Anderson, who played in their first fixture back in 2001.

“To think I’ve played in the same team as cap number one is absolutely crazy.”

It speaks to the progress that women’s cricket in Scotland has made in such a short space of time.

“It’s obviously not been the World Cup we hoped it could have been,” adds Sarah.

“But it shows that we’ve come a long way and there’s no reason we can’t push on to compete with these teams consistently.

“We’ve made that goal before, so hopefully we can continue to make it. It’s been really cool.”