Scotland set to unleash secret long ball weapon as Bravehearts eye off World Cup miracle
Cricket is a battle waged over 22 yards, but not for the Scottish secret weapon nicknamed ‘Long Ball Loch Ness’ who believes he can bamboozle Australia in a World Cup boilover.
Scotland has declared they can beat Australia and knock England out of the World Cup by unleashing secret weapon ‘Long Ball Loch Ness.’
Cricket is usually a battle waged over 22 yards, but Scotland’s monster mystery spinner Mark Watt has shocked the world with his controversial ’24 yarders’ that are leaving batsmen clueless.
Watt’s bamboozling x-factor is sending down the odd delivery from behind the umpire, and Australia’s batsmen were on Friday night scrambling to study the quick release and the extra airtime of the Long Baller from Loch Ness.
Scotland must pull off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history and beat Australia if they are to progress through to the Super Eights at the expense of arch-enemies England.
Australia might be the best team in the world, but they’ve never faced anything like the Long Baller and Scotland has warned they better be ready for a Braveheart ambush in St Lucia on Sunday morning AEST.
“I think it’s almost like the element of surprise with it that he bowls it,” Scottish teammate, Michael Leask said.
“It’s also how good he is at holding his length. It still spins – it’s just for that fraction longer.
“Man, it’s horrible to face. Even for us in the nets. You know it’s coming. You know it’s coming every two minutes. He will be doing it again. I can guarantee he will bowl more than one against Australia.
“Let’s hope he takes a few wickets with it.
“On any given day, Australia will dominate sides. But we have matchwinners. That’s what makes it exciting for us Scotsmen.
“We know we have matchwinners as well and it might take two or three of us to come off on the day rather than one Australian.
“It might take two or three of us but we see that capability within our side.
“We haven’t played Australia in a T20. It does put us in good stead because they don’t know what we’re capable of.”
A huge controversy broke out in Scotland’s last group match, when two Omani batsmen pulled out at the last moment from facing the Long Ball Loch Ness monster.
The umpires were sucked into calling dead balls even though replays showed the batsmen were watching on both occasions – they just weren’t ready for the shock coming at them from 24 yards.
Australian star Matthew Wade was controversially punished by umpires for backing away from a delivery against England and not being granted a dead ball.
Wade knows he can’t afford to take that risk against the imposing left-arm Long Baller who has regularly taken wickets with the mystery ball – including England’s World Cup-winning Big Bash star Alex Hales in a county T20 match.
“I have seen that on a few Instagram reels actually. It’s clever bowling,” Wade said on match eve.
“A lot of players are looking to get a little bit of an advantage and to sneak up and bowl a ball from near behind the umpires. It’s clever.
“I’ve just got to make sure I don’t pull away when he does it this time.
“… I saw a little bit of their game against England. Their batting certainly looked pretty impressive at the top of the order there.”
Sneaking home ahead of England on net run rate is no longer a possibility after England brutalised Oman.
The Scots quite simply must beat Australia to create history and progress.
But the boys in tartan are not shying away from the challenge and believe they can pull off one of the greatest achievements ever in Scottish sport.
“It’s a must-win game, always has been. We knew coming into this game it would be. It’s a hell of an opportunity to play really good cricket and take on one of the best (teams) in the world,” Leask said.
“We’re going into this game quietly confident but also knowing Australia are one of the best in the world.
“It’d be an incredibly proud moment for Scottish cricket if we did progress to the Super Eights.
“It’s going to be a tough game but why can’t we go and do what we’ve done before and cause an upset?”
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