Scotland eye big upsets in 2015 World Cup
Defeating United Arab Emirates in the final of the qualifying tournament has boosted Scotland into the main event, scheduled to be held in Australia and New Zealand next year.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: February 02, 2014 10:32 am IST
Scotland co-coach Paul Collingwood is adamant his side are not going to next year's Cricket World Cup just to make up the numbers and believes they have the talent to cause upsets.
The Scots sneaked into the World Cup with a 41-run win over the United Arab Emirates in the final of the qualifying tournament in New Zealand.
It puts them into Pool A for next year's tournament along with heavyweights Australia, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka as well as Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
UAE will be placed in Pool B along with Ireland, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe and defending champions India.
Scotland previously qualified for the 1999 and 2007 World Cups where they failed to win a game, but Collingwood is confident his side will make an impact.
"What it comes down to is hopefully the confidence levels come at the World Cup next year," the former England all-rounder, who is on a short-term contract with Scotland, told Fairfax Media on Sunday.
A barometer will come in May when the Scots play England who have just completed a dismal series in Australia.
"Obviously England will be huge for us," Scotland captain Peter Mommsen said.
"We'll be looking to cause an upset. It's happened before at World Cups and there's no reason it can't happen again next year.
"It's always a big rivalry with the English. We've got them in May up in Aberdeen, and that'll be a good little test," he added.
A total of 14 teams will contest the World Cup, to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand, comprising the ICC's 10 full member nations and four affiliate countries.
Ireland and Afghanistan secured two of the affiliate spots last year.
In the second qualifying tournament final Scotland made a shaky start, being reduced to 37-3 after seven overs before Mommsen starred with an unbeaten 139 to lift the total to 285-5. The UAE were restricted to 244-9 in reply.
Final placings: 1. Scotland, 2. UAE, 3. Hong Kong, 4. PNG, 5. Kenya, 6. Namibia, 7. Netherlands, 8. Canada, 9. Nepal, 10. Uganda.