Scotland Edge Canada in see saw first day

Gordon Drummond led from the front last night as Scotland launched a thrilling fight back in their Intercontinental Cup clash with Canada at Mannofield.

On a wicket-strewn day, the Carlton all-rounder marked his first outing as captain with a fighting half-century in the Aberdeen sunshine.

It helped spare his sides blushes by hoisting their tally to 185 after they had slumped to 102-8 in perfect batting conditions.

The Scots then claimed seven wickets to leave the four-day clash delicately balanced at the close.

Drummonds decision to bat first had backfired spectacularly as his team-mates conjured up a catastrophic collapse.

Moneeb Iqbal was first to go when he was trapped in front by Umar Bhatti.

Fraser Watts, having hit two boundaries in his 21, followed when he edged a Herny Osinde delivery to give Ashif Mulla the first of his five catches.

Richie Berrington was then clean-bowled by Khurram Chohan before Scotland’s hopes of a substantial total received an even bigger blow with the loss of Ryan Watson.

The former skipper had hit three boundaries in one over off Osinde but gave the bowler his revenge by edging a wide one to the keeper for 37.

Chohan then struck twice in as many balls to reduce the Scottish innings to tatters on 81-6 at lunch.

The former Lahore pace bowler had Neil McCallum caught in the slips but received a huge slice of luck when Jan Stander was adjudged lbw for a first-ball duck.

Ewan Chalmers saw his debut knock cut short when he joined Chohans list of victims before the departure of Majid Haq to another Mulla catch left Scotland staring at humiliation on 102-8.

However, Drummond was joined in his salvage operation by Simon Smith with the pair adding 83 for the ninth wicket.

Drummond went on to record a maiden First Class fifty, his 52 coming from 100 balls and including five boundaries.

However, Chohan struck again to finish with 6-36 by removing Drummond and Calum MacLeod in quick succession while Smith was left unbeaten on 29.

MacLeod, Stander and Drummond each claimed two wickets as Canada were reduced to 108-7 at the close, leaving Scotland favourites to claim the six points on offer for a first innings lead.

Speaking after the match Drummond declared: I am delighted to have done my bit as captain because I’m a great believer that if you are going to be preaching to others then you have got to be able to do it yourself.

We had spoken before the game about the need to adapt after all the one-day cricket we have been playing but we were caught on the hop a bit.

The ball was doing a bit but we still played too many loose shots on a wicket where we had hoped to get 300. That is the benchmark in four-day cricket.

In the event the Scots had to make do with 185 thanks to Drummonds ninth wicket stand of 83 with Simon Smith (29no).

The skipper added: I was delighted to get a few runs for the team and Simon gave me some great support.

To be honest I was disappointed with myself that I got out when I did because I thought we could get the side up to about 250.

But the guys have fought back fantastically to take seven wickets.

There is still a lot of hard work to be done but we have given ourselves a great chance of claiming a first innings lead and going on to win the game.
 

Willaim Dick Cricket Media Scotland