SCOTLAND nearly inflicted an embarrassing defeat on the Auld Enemy as England recorded an unconvincing six-wicket win with six balls to spare at Trent Bridge, writes RYAN BANGS.
Barring a powerful 53 from England talisman Kevin Pietersen, Gavin Hamilton's men would have claimed the ultimate scalp in this Twenty20 World Cup warm-up match.
Opting to bat first, after a slow start Scotland's Kyle Coetzer hit two sixes in 34 a
nd Craig Smith struck four fours and a six in his 45 to help Hamilton's men to 136-5.
For England, Ravi Bopara hit four fours and a six before he was the first of two wickets to fall in two balls.
But Kevin Pietersen hit 53 and finished the match in style with his second six.
And after Scotland's narrow loss – former skipper Ryan Watson admitted the exposure against England was just what was needed.
"Playing England is always a special occasion and obviously you put yourself in the shop window when you step out so there is that extra incentive to do well," said Watson.
Without strike bowler James Anderson and off-spinner Graeme Swann, who were both rested as a precaution, England's new-look attack were unable to prevent Scotland recovering from a tentative start.
Scotland never realistically looked likely to win the match, but wickets in successive balls from Haq ensured England's run chase was more pressurised than they expected. The Scots began nervously and took 11 deliveries to score their first runs off the bat. That start contributed to them struggling to 41 for two in the eighth over, only for a spirited 62-run third-wicket stand off 41 balls between Coetzer and Smith to give them renewed momentum.
Hampshire all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas had restricted Scotland from the start, delivering a maiden first over and bowling opener Fraser Watts in his next over.
Watson, who finished seven not out, added: "I enjoy Twenty20 cricket and a few of the guys in the team would have played it with the club and county. But the more games we can play the better we will get.
"It is great that we are getting some coverage with all the games being on the television and that is what Scottish cricket needs."
Scotland are due to open their campaign on Saturday against New Zealand at The Oval, then play South Africa the following day.
