Scotland head coach Owen Dawkins says his side are in a good place as they prepare for the Qualifier at the start of 2027. The top four finishers there will earn spots at the World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Dawkins took over at the end of 2025 and has presided over an encouraging run of results. Scotland last played at an ODI World Cup in 2015 and have only three appearances at the tournament in their history.
Why ODI cricket matters
The coach, speaking to the ICC, said 50-over cricket remains central to the development of Scottish players and the growth of the sport. He described qualifying for the World Cup as the pinnacle for this group of players.
Individual form and team character
Confidence has been lifted by several personal displays. Fin McCreath made his first international century in the tri-series, and captain Richie Berrington hit a hundred in the final match. Lyle Robertson took six wickets on his ODI debut against Canada, the fourth-best bowling figures in ODI history. George Munsey and Brandon McMullen also chipped in with the bat.
Dawkins praised those performances, but said the team’s character and ability to win close games have pleased him most.
Momentum and a bigger field
Scotland reached the top of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 table during the recent tri-series with Canada and the UAE. With the 2027 World Cup expanded to 14 teams, they have another chance to return to the 50-over game’s biggest stage, and a top-four finish in the Qualifier would secure it.
