Goosebumps in 40C - Scotland women's first World Cup

Sarah Bryce made her senior Scotland debut aged 15

Sarah Bryce got goosebumps twice during Scotland women’s World Cup debut.

The first time was when Flower of Scotland rang around Sharjah Cricket Stadium. For Bryce, who first played for Scotland in 2015, the arrival on the world stage represented the completion of a life goal.

"The second verse when the drums come in," she reflects with a smile. "That really got me."

The second time the goosebumps came was because of heat exhaustion.

"In 40 degree heat, it's probably not what you're meant to be feeling," Bryce says, laughing.

Bryce, 24, kept wicket for Scotland against Bangladesh before batting through the entirety of their own innings.

In conditions that were so hot one of her other team-mates threw up on the field, she was on the pitch for every single ball.

"I definitely felt shivery at times," she says, before adding of her anonymous team-mate: "They managed to catch it in their arm, which is a little gross but at least it's not on the pitch."

'We've created a legacy'

Scotland's first World Cup campaign has been one of extremes.

Results haven't gone their way, with four losses out of four, but for a team that still includes several part-time cricketers, making it here has been the greatest achievement of all.

"We've created a legacy," says 26-year-old Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce, older sister of Sarah.

"It's easy always to be looking for the next thing - and obviously we want to win games - but at the same time, we've already done something for Scotland that no-one has ever done and that is special."

Scotland came closest to victory in the opening match of the tournament against Bangladesh, when they fell short by 16 runs, before heavy defeats to West Indies, South Africa and England.

Despite the acknowledgement this tournament is a beginning for Scottish women's cricket rather than the end, frustration is also palpable from a group that are more than just also-rans.

In the warm-up matches before the tournament, Scotland beat Pakistan and West Indies, with some whispers gathering they could spring a surprise when the tournament proper arrived.

"It was probably tough having Bangladesh first game," says Kathryn.

"That was the closest contest we could have had, whereas if we played them later people are more settled into the competition."

'The best year of my life'

Scotland are coached by Craig Wallace, a 34-year-old former men's international, who was an unused member of the squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup.

"This has been the best year of my life," says Wallace.

"It sounds stupid, but I was a bit-part cricketer. In and out of the team my whole career and I wouldn't say I really did much.

"But now, to be an important part of growing the women's game is amazing."

Before the competition, Wallace was awarded a three-year full-time deal, having previously been in the role as interim head coach working two days a week.

"Now we can actually sit down and plan," says Wallace.

"We've made the World Cup, but how are we going to do it again and how are we going to beat these teams?"

World Cup wins are not easy to come by. Bangladesh's victory over Scotland was their first since 2014.

But if any group is capable of achieving things for the first time it is this one.

Scotland women's first match took place in 2001 and the squad today carry a flag with them that has been signed by every player that has ever represented the nation.

"It’s a really special piece of history," says Sarah Bryce, who made her Scotland debut nine years ago in a county match against Somerset alongside Kari Anderson, who played in their first fixture back in 2001.

"To think I've played in the same team as cap number one is absolutely crazy."

It speaks to the progress that women's cricket in Scotland has made in such a short space of time.

"It's obviously not been the World Cup we hoped it could have been," adds Sarah.

"But it shows that we've come a long way and there's no reason we can't push on to compete with these teams consistently.

"We've made that goal before, so hopefully we can continue to make it. It's been really cool."