Dumfries product Chris McBride has been making his mark on the pitch for Scotland in the heat of Namibia whilst his former Dumfries Cricket Club team mates have instead been putting the gloves on for the icy conditions at home.
After making his debut for the Scotland Men’s side in April in Dubai this was a “breakout series” for the 23 year old former Carrutherstown Primary pupil. In the final match of the tri-series last week involving Scotland, Namibia and Nepal he was named the ICC Player of the Match in the ICC World Cup League Two encounter.
McBride finished as Scotland’s top run scorer in the four match series with an average of 42 and hit the top score with 46 not out in Scotland’s 8 wicket win in that final game win over Nepal.
The Scotland Coach, Shane Burger, said after that victory that “Chris McBride played excellently for 46 not out – he’s really matured on the trip and I was glad he took responsibility to finish off the game for the win.”
He hit another top score of 43 opening in the other win versus same opponents and 30 in the victory over Namibia. He also chipped with a key wicket in the second win over Nepal.
For McBride “It was an amazing experience and a great trip. It was good to contribute to winning games for Scotland.”
With 688 players so far capped for Scotland Men, McBride is the first associated with the Dumfries Cricket Club at Nunholm and is understood to be the first such Scotland player from the Dumfries and Galloway region.
Scotland’s three wins out of four ensured their place in the 50 Over ODI World qualifier tournament in Zimbabwe from June 18 to July 9 next summer by confirming a top three finishing place in the league. The likes of South Africa, Sri Lanka and Ireland are currently set to be amongst their opponents in that ten team tournament.
Scotland are also well positioned to win this league with four games to go in another tri-series against these same two sides in Nepal in February with the message from Coach Burger “To be top of the table just now is good, but we know we have to focus on our next trip to Nepal when it comes around.”
Meanwhile Dumfries Cricket Club’s indoor sessions continue in January at St Joseph’s College for boys and girls from ages 5 up to senior players. The club welcomes any new participants and can be contacted on [email protected], via dumfriescricketclub.com, for further information.
