Cricket: Lowly Scots target NZ for win

By Richard Boock

The New Zealand cricketers have been earmarked as a potential scalp by the lowest-ranked side at this year's World Cup tournament - Scotland.

The Scots, who admit they could walk down the main street of Edinburgh without being recognised by their own families, reckon they are capable of knocking over fellow cup debutantes Bangladesh and New Zealand in the one-day world championship.

Coach Jim Love said the team's dream was to win at least two Group B games by beating Bangladesh and New Zealand in Edinburgh - although he was aware, at 500-1 to win the cup, that this was far more of a possibility than a probability

"We're not going to say we will beat people, that would be silly, but if we can go out and compete who knows what might happen?"

The Scots had hoped for a game against "the auld enemy" England to whip up domestic passions, but instead will complete their first-round campaign against Australia, Pakistan and the West Indies.

New Zealand left Christchurch for London yesterday - they will be the last side to arrive in England for the World Cup - and will play Scotland at Edinburgh in their final pool game, on May 31.

Going by the form-book, at least, they should not have too much to fear from the Scots.

Integrated into England's premier one-day competitions since the early 1980s, Scotland have managed just three wins against county opposition in 83 games.

They finished third in the 1997 ICC qualifying tournament, behind winners Bangladesh, and Kenya.

Bangladesh, meanwhile - who New Zealand meet in their opening game at Chelmsford on May 17 - are apparently struggling to overcome the English climate and their own in-house politics.

Arriving in England a month before the start of the tournament in order to acclimatise, the Bangladesh squad have been training in woolly hats and gloves - and may not enjoy their trip north to Edinburgh on May 24. But at least they have sorted out their act off the field.

They had initially been rocked by manager Tanvir Mazharul Islam's assertion that his squad did not have a hope of winning a single game, before a selection row escalated to the extent that questions were asked in parliament.

The controversy faded only when all-rounder Minhazul Abedin, initially omitted from the squad (reportedly on disciplinary grounds) was rushed back in just before the plane left for England.

Earlier there had been the sacking, then reinstatement, of former West Indian great Gordon Greenidge as coach.

Bangladesh, however, are now presenting a slightly more united front.

"The morale is very high," said skipper Aminul Islam.

"The players are now in a conditioning camp, and we're working hard to acclimatise to the English weather ..."