BRYCEHEART – Scotland look for maiden victory at cricket World Cup

Led by sisters Kathryn and Sarah Bryce, Scotland come into their second T20 World Cup looking for their first win in the tournament. On the back of an impressive run, Gethin Thurlow looks at how they might get there.

When you think of cricket, Scotland is probably about the last country you think of. But they do, in fact, have a history, having played their first match in 1932.

While they haven’t played matches consistently since then, the side has developed a lot in recent years and now finds itself able to regularly challenge well-established cricket nations.

In a period where every top nation is going through at least some issues, the tournament has arrived just as Scotland hit their peak.

In their final competitive action before the World Cup, the Scots hosted Bangladesh and the Netherlands in Edinburgh. Wins over both teams proved Scotland are more than making up the numbers at this 12-team World Cup.

To emphasise the point further, they had a brilliant week in the warm-up matches.

A convincing 58-run win over the Netherlands showed off the potential of young bowler Gabriella Fontenla, while a dominant win over Pakistan – largely thanks to a brilliant Kathryn Bryce innings of 94 off just 43 balls – was probably the standout result of all their warm-up matches.

In terms of key players, if Scotland are to achieve anything this month, it will come from captain Kathryn Bryce – someone who’s been key for Scotland ever since making her debut in 2018. She’s good enough with both bat and ball to get into the team on either skill alone.

With no professional domestic system in Scotland, Bryce has long been well integrated into the English county system. She’s also taken her talents to T20 leagues in Australia and India.

With a career batting average of 36 and a bowling average of just under 15 in T20 internationals, she enters the World Cup as one of the top players – not just for Scotland, but overall.

While Kathryn is captaining and bowling for her side, sister Sarah Bryce will be catching the ball behind the wicket.

With a similar career path and ability level to her sister, Sarah is a well-established name in the English game. She averages a stellar 29 in T20 internationals, while also being vital behind the stumps.

Any catches she can take and runs she can stop will make Scotland’s batting innings that little bit easier.

Another experienced Scot is bowling all-rounder Priyanaz Chatterji.

Primarily in the squad for her right-arm medium bowling, she is a reliable option who always gives four overs of consistent and challenging deliveries. Chatterji can also add valuable runs and, in a team full of young talent, her experience will be crucial in helping the rest of the team fire.

Kirstie Gordon is an interesting case.

A very talented left-arm spinner, she initially represented Scotland from a very young age. But after moving to England – and with the possibility of going professional there – she switched allegiance, becoming a frontline spin option for England at the 2018 World Cup and playing in the Ashes in 2019.

However, as more and more spinners came into the fold, she was dropped from that team and hasn’t found her way back in.

In December 2025, Gordon announced she was switching her allegiance back to Scotland and is now back in the squad for this tournament.

There’s no doubt Gordon is a brilliant cricketer and, if she can rediscover the form that earned her an England spot, she could be Scotland’s best bowler.

In terms of a complete wildcard, there is pace bowler Maisie Maceira.

Maceira represented Scotland under-19s at the World Cup last year but her only senior appearance so far came against Bangladesh last month – she took two wickets in three overs.

She offers Scotland something slightly different and that unknown makes the possibility more exciting. She certainly has bags of potential but what type of World Cup she’s going to have is anyone’s guess.

As for Scotland’s opponents: well, they’re all pretty good. But there are opportunities for that first-ever World Cup win.

The best chance comes first, with a game against Ireland in Manchester.

With a mixed overall record against the Irish, Scotland have at least defeated them a number of times, unlike any other of their group opponents. Although there will be natural tournament nerves and pressure on Saturday morning, Scotland will have to show up in that game if they want something out of this World Cup.

We spoke to pundit and commentator Nikki Chaudhuri, who said of Scotland’s chances:

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an upset from Scotland but I think when it comes to the bigger sides, the more dominating sides, they will really have to make sure they’ve got their A-game.”

Photos: ICC, Clare McEwen

As mentioned, Scotland kick off their campaign on Saturday at Old Trafford against Ireland. Their full list of fixtures is:

Saturday 13th June 10:30 – Scotland v Ireland, Old Trafford*

Thursday 18th June 18:30 v West Indies, Headingley

Saturday 20th June 18:30 v England, Headingley

Tuesday 23rd June 10:30 v New Zealand, Bristol

Friday 26th June 18:30 v Sri Lanka, Old Trafford

*Free-to-air on Sky Mix (Freeview channel 11; Freesat channel 144; Sky channel 151).
Scotland’s remaining group fixtures will be available for free on the Sky Sports app.
All other games will be live on Sky Sports.

For full fixture and where to watch details, check out our tournament preview.
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