The ICC today confirmed the fixture schedule for the 2024 ICC Mens T20 World Cup, with Scotland’s Men landing two mouthwatering fixtures that bookend their campaign in Group B.
Scotland will take on defending champions England in their opening match on June 4 in Barbados, almost six years to the day after famously beating their neighbours in an unforgettable 50-over encounter in Edinburgh. The Scots conclude their group matches with a clash against recently crowned 50-over world champions Australia on June 15 in St Lucia.
All of Scotland’s group matches will take place in the Caribbean, with games against Namibia on June 6 in Barbados and Oman on June 9 in Antigua sandwiched between the England and Australia fixtures. The top two sides in each five-team group proceed to the second round Super Eights stage, ahead of the knockout stages. The tournament begins on June 1 in Florida, with the final taking place on June 29 in Barbados.
Scotland’s Men will be competing at their sixth ICC T20 World Cup, and their third tournament in succession. In 2021 they succeeded in qualifying for the Super 12’s stage, while in 2022 they memorably defeated West Indies in the group stage.
Their most recent fixture against Australia on the global stage came at the 2015 ICC Men’s World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand. The Scots suffered defeat to the eventual champions in Hobart during their final match in Pool A, after earlier losing to England in Christchurch.
Recent results against Namibia and Oman have proved much more positive. Scotland beat Namibia twice in February 2023 in Nepal, as they concluded their successful ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 campaign. In June at the ICC Men’s World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, Brandon McMullen smashed 136 before Chris Greaves took 5-53 as Scotland beat Oman by 76 runs in Group B.
Reflecting on the draw, Scotland Captain Richie Berrington said:
“It’s a great draw for us to play, in England and Australia, two of the best teams in the world, so as a squad we are really excited about that. It’s a great opportunity for us, especially at a World Cup as well. Namibia and Oman are two excellent sides as well, which we’ve had great battles with over the years, so I’m sure it will be a really exciting group.
“As we know with these tournaments, a lot of the time on your day, if you have a good day anything is possible. As a squad, we want to keep building on the success we’ve had, particularly in T20 cricket, so this is another great opportunity for us to do this on the world stage.
“The game against England in 2018 was a special day for everyone involved, and I think for everyone in Scottish cricket. It was one of the best atmospheres I’ve been involved in during my career with Scotland, to have the crowd behind us like that at home. It’ll be an exciting game for us first up in the group, and hopefully we’ll get a few people travelling out to the Caribbean to support us as well, so it should be a great occasion against the defending champions.
“To play Australia at the 2015 World Cup in their own back yard was a memorable occasion. I remember that game quite well in Hobart. Unfortunately, we didn’t have our best day, but it was a great experience to come up against such a strong Australian team which obviously went on to win that World Cup. It’s just going to be such an exciting fixture and a really good challenge for us.
“On the whole it’s been a positive year for us as a squad, with a lot to take away from it. Winning the Cricket World Cup League 2, and playing in Nepal, was really special; it’s a great place to go on tour and to lift the trophy there with Shane [Burger, former Men’s Head Coach] as he finished off his time with us was terrific.
“The guys took a lot of belief from that campaign which was spread across more than three years, and that took us nicely into the two World Cup qualifying campaigns. The 50-over World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe was a great experience, with a couple of big wins there against Zimbabwe and West Indies, but it was obviously hugely disappointing not to get over the line in the last game which would have taken us to the World Cup.
“I think for me, one of the highlights of the year was the way the team bounced back from that disappointment very quickly, heading into the T20 Qualifier. To go and win that here in Scotland as tournament hosts was very special, and something that we can look to build on and take a lot of confidence in moving forward into 2024.”
Scotland Men’s Fixture Schedule – 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group B
| June 4 | Scotland | England | 10.30am (local) | Kensington Oval, Barbados |
| June 6 | Scotland | Namibia | 8.30pm (local) | Kensington Oval, Barbados |
| June 9 | Scotland | Oman | 8.30pm (local) | Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua |
| June 15 | Scotland | Australia | 8.30pm (local) | Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St Lucia |
