Against Zimbabwe A on Thursday (April 24), Scotland batter Finlay McCreath scored a century on List A (and professional) debut.
The two sides were facing off in the first of three unofficial ODIs at the Harare Sports Club in Scotland Men's first international assignment of the year.
1st unofficial ODI, Zimbabwe A vs Scotland
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Scotland skipper Matthew Cross won the toss and chose to put the hosts in to bat. Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Tadiwanashe Marumani got off to a solid start, putting on 89 for the first wicket at just under a run-a-ball before Marumani was dismissed for 37. Once No.3 Dion Myers departed for 27 with the score at 135 though, Zimbabwe A began to slide, to 152-5 and eventually 184-6.
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No.10 Brad Evans struck a brisk, unbeaten 22 to lift them to a fighting 240. Charlie Cassell (3-34) and Michael Leask (3-33) starred with the ball, whil Brandon McMullen also chipped in with two wickets.
Finlay McCreath scores century on List A debut
In their run chase, Scotland openers George Munsey and Christopher McBride put on 63 before three wickets in quick succession left them at 90-3. Skipper Cross joined Finlay McCreath at the crease, and contributed just 16 to a fourth-wicket stand of 59 as McCreath reached a half-century on List A debut, off 52 balls.
Michael Leask followed Cross back to the pavilion to leave Scotland 166-5, but McCreath carried on with Mark Watt holding firm. Scotland's No.4 reached his century in the 42nd over, off 109 balls – but perished off the very next ball he faced, caught by Alex Falao off Roy Kaia. Watt and Jack Jarvis then knocked off the required nine runs to seal victory by four wickets, with 40 balls to spare.
Who is Finlay McCreath?
McCreath had not played a single match with first-class, List A or T20 status before this one. He has been on the Scottish domestic scene for some time though, representing the national U15, U17 and U19 sides.
In 2017, McCreath had the opportunity to face off against the likes of Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Sarah Taylor and Sophie Ecclestone in a match against the England national team, as part of his time with Warwickshire's Elite Player Pathway. Playing alongside McCreath in that match was current England international Jacob Bethell.
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He has also represented Scotland A since 2018, and played four times for Gloucestershire's Second XI in 2019. McCreath's most notable score of late was an unbeaten 95 for Grange against Falkland last August. His knock lifted Grange to 251-7 in 50 overs, as no one else scored over 34.
Image credit: X / @CricketScotland
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