MacLeod’s ton sets Scotland up for historic ODI win
Calum MacLeod scored his seventh ODI century to set up Scotland’s stunning six-run victory over England in a one-off ODI in Edinburgh on Sunday.
MacLeod struck a brilliant unbeaten 140 off just 94 balls as Scotland powered their way to a mammoth total 371/5 in their 50 overs.
The home side’s innings was given a blistering start as openers Kyle Coetzer (58) and Matthew Cross (48) put on 113 in just 13.4 overs before leg-spinner Adil Rashid made the breakthrough, getting rid of captain Coetzer.
The Scots though never let up and MacLeod, who batted at number three, received good support right through the innings as Richie Berrington (39) and George Munsey (55) made vital contributions.
For England, Rashid took 2-72 in is 10 overs while Liam Plunkett also took two wickets but was on the expensive side as the seamer conceded 85 runs in his full quota of overs.
The visitors came out all guns blazing with the willow as openers Jason Roy (34) and Jonny Bairstow put on 129 in just 12.4 overs.
Bairstow was the aggressor and went to his fifth ODI ton but was out shortly after for a majestic 105 off 59 deliveries.
Alex Hales (52), Joe Root (29) and Eoin Morgan (20) kept up with the scoring-rate but lost their wickets at crucial moments as Scotland kept chipping away.
The slow-left-arm spin of Mark Watt was the key for Scotland during that middle overs as he got rid of Sam Billings (12) and crucially Moeen Ali (46) to finish with figures of 3-55 in 10 overs as the home crowd sensed something special.
Plunkett, batting at number nine, was determined to spoil the party though as he hit 47 not out off 45 balls but the historic win was wrapped up with the fifth ball of the penultimate over when Mark Wood was lbw to seamer Safyaan Sharif as England were bowled out for 365.
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