KYLE Coetzer has come a long way since scoring the first of his nine international centuries 13 years ago.
As a promising 20-year-old the Aberdonian batsman came of age as he stroked a superb 133 against Kenya in an Intercontinental Cup semi-final encounter in Abu Dhabi. Scotland went on to win the tournament, sweeping Canada aside in the final in Sharjah while the young Coetzer would go on to enjoy a distinguished county career with Durham and Northants as well as captaining his country.
It is in the latter role that Coetzer is back in the United Arab Emirates where he will lead Scotland into action against Ireland, also in the Intercontinental Cup, at the Dubai International Stadium starting on Wednesday.
Sadly, Scottish hopes of winning the tournament on this occasion ended long ago as 13 of a possible 24 days of action were lost to the weather, denying the team any chance to build momentum.
However, no meeting with Ireland is without significance and this one is no different since it is the first time the teams have met since the Irish were awarded Test status. It would therefore be a feather in Scotland’s cap were they to claim the scalp of their old foes, a point not lost on Coetzer.
“Ireland’s new status definitely adds something to this game," he said. “There is always intense rivalry but now we have a chance to make a point by beating a Test team. Ireland have earned it by producing good results at important times over the last few years but we believe we are not far behind them – if at all.”
The depth of Scotland’s squad is set to be tested with three uncapped players included following the loss of county trio Josh Davey, Chris Sole and Stuart Whittingham who are the victims of a new eligibility rule, meaning players who represent Associate countries must wait three years before advancing their careers with Full Members.
Coetzer opted not to discuss the politics of a contentious issue, preferring instead to focus on helping Michael English, Mitchell Rao and Elliot Ruthven settle into their new environment.
“I have great memories of that tour in 2004 when we won the Intercontinental Cup and I was very much the young guy in the camp then. Maybe I didn’t realise at the time what we were achieving but now I can pass on a lot of what I learned. My biggest message to the new boys will be to go out and enjoy themselves. There have been times in my career when I have put pressure on myself by thinking the night before about how important it was to get runs the next day. Pressure is the last thing you need. You need freedom to express yourself.”
Coetzer has practised that mantra, both as a batsman and captain, becoming the fourth highest-scoring Scotland batsman in history while his success rate as skipper is the best of any who have led the team on at least 10 occasions.
A further victory in what is his first four-day game against Ireland would give the team a timely boost ahead of their crucial World Cricket League double header against Kenya later in the tour.
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