BSP-21 MacLeod hundred powers Scotland to record 371-5 in England ODI

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MacLeod hundred powers Scotland to record 371-5 in England ODI

EDINBURGH, June 10, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Calum MacLeod’s superb unbeaten century took Scotland to a record 371 for five in their one-day international against England in Edinburgh on Sunday.

It was a brilliant performance by the Scots against an England team who are currently top of the one-day international rankings.

MacLeod made 140 not out as Scotland surpassed their previous record total at this level of 341 for nine against fellow non-Test nation Canada at Christchurch four years ago.

And it meant England would have to beat their highest winning total batting second in an ODI — 350 for three against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in 2015 — if they were to defeat Scotland in this stand-alone match.

“We’re always trying to get someone to stick their hand up and we always celebrate each other’s success,” MacLeod told Sky Sports during the break between innings.

“I hit it nicely. It was a lovely feeling and nice to do it in a crowd this big. Anything above 350 is a big total and we know how dangerous this England side can be, so now it’s up to us to bowl well.”

The Scots, sent into bat by England captain Eoin Morgan, lost two wickets in quick succession to be 107 for two off 15 overs.

Matthew Cross (48) and Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer (58) got the hosts off to a solid start with a century stand for the first wicket.

England checked their progress as leg-spinner Adil Rashid had Coetzer caught behind with wicket-keeper Sam Billings, behind the stumps in place of the rested Jos Buttler, also catching Cross off fast bowler Liam Plunkett.

But MacLeod ensured a promising start to the innings was not wasted and together with George Munsey (55) he shared a fourth-wicket stand of 107.

The 29-year-old MacLeod went to a hundred off just 70 balls, his seventh at this level but his first against an active Test nation and the first by any Scotland batsman against England.

In total, MacLeod faced just 94 balls including 16 fours and three sixes.

An England attack missing the injured Ben Stokes had a match to forget, with Plunkett’s 10 overs costing 85 runs.

David Willey also got plenty of punishment in a return of none for 72 as Scotland, who were 200 for three after 30 overs, upped their run-rate to go well beyond 350.

This was Scotland’s first match since March, when they narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.

For England, a ‘warm-up’ fixture, ahead of a five-match ODI series against Australia starting at The Oval on Wednesday, had now become a huge challenge.

BSS/AFP/MMA/2033HRS