MATTHEW CROSS: "IT WAS GREAT TO PUT IN SUCH A DOMINATING PERFORMANCE."

After an impressive 10 wicket victory over the USA on Friday, Scotland's attention turns to Nepal as their ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 (CWCL2) campaign continues in Dallas.

 

Scotland opened their account in the USA by bowling their hosts out for 144, with Andy Umeed (98*) and Charlie Tear (43*) making light work of that target to get their side's tour off to the best possible start.

 

They will be coming up against an in-form Nepal side who defeated the USA 3-0 in a T20 series ahead of the CWCL2 action, but who will be licking their wounds after a final-over, three-wicket defeat to the same opponent in their opening game of this series on Sunday.

 

Scotland will be hoping to follow-up their opening victory against the USA, a victory that Matthew Cross believes was important in setting the tone for this tour.

 

"It was a really important start to the trip, playing against a USA team that have been really good this year through the World Cup, and through the Cricket World Cup League 2 so far," said Cross.

 

"It was great to put in such a dominating performance, and set up the rest of the trip nicely.

 

"Brad (Currie) and Brando (Brandon McMullen) were exceptional up front and got so much movement and swing out of the new ball.

 

"Winning the toss and putting them into bat was important to exert some control and challenge their batters, and we did that straight away from the the first couple of overs. They were on the money from ball one and that really set the tone for the rest of the innings.

 

 

"It was great to see Andy (Umeed), in only his second ODI, put in such a dominating performance with the bat, he really followed on from the warm-up game and took on the American bowlers, and was deserving of a 100, which wasn't to be, and he had great support from Charlie (Tear) as well."

 

This Scotland squad have fond memories of playing Nepal, securing the 2019-2023 CWCL2 title in the country in February 2023 - although they did lose both games to their hosts on that tour, so know they will be in for a tough examination on Tuesday.

 

"We've played against Nepal quite a bit in the last couple of years so know what to expect from them. They put a good performance the other day after being put in by the USA, and just fell short at the end, so we know we'll have to be at our best to win the game."

 

Watch Scotland take on Nepal on Tuesday 29 October, from 15:30 GMT, live on ICC.TV.