Blain can inspire Scots to victory at Mannofield

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TON UP MAN: Brendon McCullum on his way to scoring 166 for New Zealand at Mannofield. Picture by Chris Sumner.

COMEBACK coach Tony Judd today backed fit-again John Blain to provide the bite that Scotland need to beat old rivals Ireland at Mannofield today.

And he believes the paceman can also inspire the hosts when they square up to New Zealand 24 hours later.

New Zealand opened the tournament yesterday with a record-breaking defeat of the Irish.

The Black Caps won by 290 runs as they racked up 402 for two in their 50 overs – the sixth highest score in the history of one-day international cricket.

Blain has boosted Scotland’s quest to inflict defeat on a major nation for the first time when he was given the green light to play in the Associates Tri-Series.

But the long-serving impact man was quick to play down his side’s prospects of bashing the Black Caps tomorrow – and insisted the encounter with the Irish will be a much more crucial match.

Blain had been battling to be ready for the double-header after suffering a ripped arm muscle during the Friends Provident Trophy meeting with Yorkshire at Headingley.

However, he emerged without adverse reaction from an exacting fitness test and will spearhead the Scots attack.

Blain declared: “I am massively relieved to be involved – and tremendously excited – because the injury was actually worse than first thought.

“But that is all history now and I can focus my mind on helping Scotland give a strong account of themselves.

“Most people are talking about the New Zealand game, and no wonder because they are in fantastic form at the moment, having given England a torrid time last week.

“But the reality is that the Ireland match is what really matters. You won’t hear me spouting off about what we might do to the Kiwis because we all know deep down that it would take something of a miracle to beat them.

“Ireland, on the other hand, are at our level and results against them and the other associate nations are what we are measured against.

“If we can get the better of the Irish and then at least compete with the New Zealanders, we will be pretty content with our week’s work.”

Scotland assistant coach Judd, back in harness after spending the winter in his native Australia, declared: “John’s recovery is a major bonus because he is such an experienced and streetwise performer.”

Matches start at 10.45am. Tickets are available at the gates, which open at 9am daily.