Scotland can 'learn massively' despite 3-0 series defeat

Brandon McMullen and Mark Watt were among Scotland's seasoned performers

The results from Scotland's T20 series defeat by Australia imply a one-sided contest - three games where the favourites won comfortably and relatively few surprises were thrown up.

But, for Scotland, a bilateral series against a team of Australia's calibre is so rare that the defeats are almost immaterial.

It exposes Scotland's players to a standard of cricket that can only benefit them, providing learnings for when they come up against the big boys in tournament cricket.

Youngsters like Charlie Tear and Jack Jarvis were given game time - alongside seasoned performers like George Munsey and Mark Watt - as part of a conscious effort to prepare for the future.

Head coach Doug Watson says the results will sting but he expects Scotland to grow from the experience.

"The 3-0 defeat is frustrating and the guys will be disappointed because they are proud, but there have been a lot of things we can learn from," Watson said.

"We know that playing against world class opposition, your margins are so small. From a batting perspective, it was about partnerships. In all three games, we didn't get a 40-run partnership; it was something they did well.

"We chopped and changed quite a bit, which we don't normally do. We gave people different opportunities so they can be exposed to this level."

One man to shine with the bat for Scotland was Brandon McMullen, whose reputation has only been boosted after two half-centuries in this series.

The 24-year-old looked totally unfazed by coming up against big name bowlers and Watson says the sky is the limit for the South Africa-born talent.

"He works hard on his game, he is very reflective, he is very calm and he wants to be brilliant," Watson said. "He played some outstanding shots and he showed his class again."

The last time Australia were in Edinburgh in 2013, Scotland were scraping to a not dissimilar total in a one-day international, which highlights just how far they have developed as a cricketing nation.

They have showed in recent years they are capable of not just competing against Test-playing nations but beating them too, with West Indies, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Ireland all falling victim to the Scots in the shortest format of the game.

Getting Australia to tour Edinburgh was something of a coup in itself, but the hope now is that this series is not a one-off and other top nations will come to Scotland in the summers to come.

"It was a great opportunity to see some of our younger guys at this level," spinner Mark Watt said. "We've progressed and learned from every game. It is a 3-0 loss, but a lot to learn from it.

"A lot of the boys are going to learn massively from this. We're delighted the Aussies made the effort to come here and hopefully we can get more and more bigger nations to come."

Watson added: "We want to play more top class teams. We can also prepare better for games like this so we hit the ground better. Be creative in our thinking so we're more ready."

With healthy crowds packed into the Grange for all three games - despite some typically Scottish weather - Watt hopes the series has gone some way to "inspire" the next generation.

"It shows the level we need to get to," he added. "We always say as a team what we want to do is inspire a nation and the more days like this with 3,000-4,000 people at the Grange, you're going to inspire a lot more kids.

"That’s what we want to do and having chances against Australia is going to provide a lot of belief for younger people watching us."

'Hope it's something we can do again'

Cameron Green (right) top-scored for Australia in the third match of the series with 62 not out

Cameron Green is a proven performer for Australia with both bat and ball and was a key part of the visitors' series victory. Despite the margins of victory, he says results were never taken for granted.

"We know how dangerous Scotland can be," Green said. "Munsey at the top is a good player who can take the game away from you and McMullen played beautifully the last three games.

"We knew coming over we needed to be at our best to win these games, so we're obviously proud of winning 3-0, but all the games were close at some point."

The Australia squad have sampled all that Scotland has to offer, with golf and whisky tours accompanying the on-field action, and Green says being in Edinburgh before a series against England has been beneficial.

"It's been unreal," he said. "All of us have appreciated coming over early, adjusting to time zones and having a bit more downtime.

"The guys have enjoyed coming over early and playing Scotland. I hope it's something we can do again in the future."