Scotland vs Australia, AUS in SCO, 3 T20Is, 2024 Full score card

OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Marcus Stoinis wraps things up! Australia put the series to bed with a clinical win. Stoinis spots the batter back away towards the leg side slightly and he follows him. Bowls it full and around the pads. Chris Greaves tries to swat it behind square on the leg side. He could not have picked out the fielder any better. Helps it away off his pads and it goes straight into the hands of Aaron Hardie at fine leg who takes the simplest of catches near his left knee. Marcus Stoinis ends with four wickets to his name. His figures read 3.4-0-23-4. Australia win by 70 runs and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series!

Serves it on a good length, on off does Stoinis, Brad Currie guides it off the back foot through covers for a single.

Brad Currie is the only batter left.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Marcus Stoinis has his third as Australia inch closer to clinching the win and the series. A touch fuller by Stoinis, angling in, on middle and leg, Brad Wheal backs away and goes for a swipe across the line. Gets a leading edge that goes straight up in the air towards cover. Xavier Bartlett calls for it and settles under it after running a few steps in front to complete the catch near his chest.

On a short of a length by Stoinis, over middle. Brad Wheal mistimes the pull in front of mid-wicket.

Did the announcer just announce a change? Oh yes, he did. The one at the ground. Green does not get his third over for now. Marcus Stoinis will bowl out. 3-0-22-2 so far.

Shorter and quicker, at the stumps, Brad Wheal pulls it through mid-wicket and takes a single.

Pushed through, short and on middle, Brad Wheal defends it on the leg side.

Even slower by Zampa, full and on leg, Chris Greaves fails to get any bat on the sweep and it rolls off his pads to short fine leg for a leg bye.

Looped up by Zampa, on a nagging length, Chris Greaves goes for the reverse but misses. The ball catches his forearm and lobs over the keeper for a couple of leg byes.

Floated up, full and on off, Brad Wheal steers it with an open bat face to the right of backward point for a run.

Almost dragged it on! Tossed up, full and on off, Brad Wheal leans on it for the drive but gets an inside edge that sneaks past the stumps and rolls towards fine leg for a couple of runs.

Adam Zampa will bowl out now. 3-0-26-1 so far.

On the pads again and it is full, Chris Greaves turns this wide of deep backward square leg for a brace.

Full and on leg, knocked down to long on for a single by Wheal.

Oh, dear! We have seen better hat-trick balls, let's just put it that way! Green goes searching for the yorker but gets it wrong. Ends up bowling a waist-high full toss, on the pads. Wheal gets beaten on the inside edge as he tries to clip it away on the leg side and wears it on the pads. A sheepish look on the face of Green as he appeals for LBW. Clearly going down leg.

Brad Wheal walks out to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! You miss I hit, says Cameron Green! Two in two for the Aussie all-rounder and he is on a hat-trick now. Green switches to over the wicket for the right-hander and bowls it at pace, full and aimed at the off pole. Chris Sole clears his front leg and swings through the line to go down the ground. Misses the line of the ball completely and it goes through to clatter into the off pole.

Chris Sole walks in at number 9.

OUT! BOWLED! Another bowling change, another wicket for Australia! Green comes from around the wicket and takes pace off as he bowls it on a good length, on middle and leg. Mark Watt tries to work it away with the angle on the leg side. Plays outside the line of the ball as the ball catches the inside edge onto his thigh pad and then it deflects onto the stumps. The wheels are coming off for Scotland now.

On a length, outside off, Mark Watt shuffles to the off side and attempts the scoop but misses.

FOUR! Neatly done! Stoinis bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Chris Greaves walks across and executes the scoop. Gets it past short fine leg for a boundary.

Cameron Green returns to the attack. Went for 13 runs in his first over.

WIDE! On a short of a length, Chris Greaves looks to help it away but misses.

On a nagging length, on middle, Chris Greaves gets beaten on the inside edge on the defence and wears it on the back pad.

Chris Greaves is the new man in.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! The change of bowling has worked nicely for Australia as they strengthen their grip on the game. Stoinis comes from over the wicket for the right-hander and goes fuller and slower, at the stumps. Michael Leask sets himself deep in the crease and slogs across the line. Gets undone by the slowness of the delivery and spoons it off the bottom half of the bat. It goes only as far as deep mid-wicket where Jake Fraser-McGurk settles under it and does the rest. Scotland are now 110/6, requiring 87 runs in 38 balls.

Short and at the batter, Mark Watt pulls it in front of square on the leg side and gets to the other end.

Serves it on a length, on off, Mark Watt clears his front leg and goes inside out over cover. Gets enough bat on it to clear cover and gets a couple of runs.

DROPPED! A tough chance but we have seen such catches stick! Marcus Stoinis comes in from around the wicket and angles it in, on a length, Mark Watt looks to drill it back past the bowler. Goes early into his shot and mistimes it down the deck. Bunts it to the right of Stoinis who sticks out his right palm but the ball does not stick.

Abbott bowls a bumper, at the batter. Mark Watt swivels and pulls it down to deep backward square leg for a single.

Short and on off, Mark Watt hangs back and defends it on the off side.

On a back of a length, punched towards cover by Watt.

Mark Watt comes out to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! Expertly held by Tim David! A massive blow to Scotland. Abbott bends his back and digs it in short, outside off. Brandon McMullen shimmies down the track and tries to slap it away on the off side. He has to reach out and it means that he ends up dragging it down the ground towards long on. Hits it flat and to the left of long on where Tim David is quick across the turf to his left and takes a good running catch. McMullen goes for 59 (42) with Scotland requiring 91 runs in 45 balls.

FOUR! Cheeky! Abbott bowls it on a back of a length, outside off, Brandon McMullen walks across his stumps to scoop it past the keeper and succeeds in doing so. Gets it between the keeper and short fine leg for a boundary.

Slanting in, on a length, on middle and leg. Leask tries to whip it away but misses and wears it on the back leg. A leg bye is taken as the ball rolls in front of point.

Outside off, punched towards cover. 15 runs from that over, 29 in the last 2. Scotland making a move on.

WIDE. The googly, but down the leg side. Brandon misses his swing.

FOUR! Lovely shot. Tossed up, outside off, McMullen leans into this one and drives it to the left of long off. Marcus Stoinis gives it a chase but then gives it up. 100 UP FOR SCOTLAND. 97 more needed from 49 balls.

A 38-BALL FIFTY FOR MCMULLEN! He is keeping Scotland in the hunt. It has been a wonderful innings so far, judging the pitch pretty quicky. Gets there with a gentle flick through mid-wicket and returning for a brace. Can he do an Inglis and bat through? Well, nearly through in Inglis' case.

The googly, in line of the stumps, punched towards cover for a quick run.

Tossed up again, but wider outside off. McMullen has to reach out for the slog and gets it towards wide long on for a single.

SIX! WHAM! Tossed up, outside off, Brandon McMullen gets down and launches it over mid off. Has excellent timing and it clears the ropes as well! 105 more needed from 53 balls.

Gets a long way across his stumps, faces a length ball, looks to tuck it to the leg side, but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball deflects towards point and a leg bye is taken. 14 from Green's opener.

A short ball again, outside off, eked through mid-wicket for one.

Full and straight, jabbed back to the bowler.

WIDE. A bumper on middle, but way too high. Leask goes for the hook but misses.

FOUR! He knows to bat only one way and that's on display. A length ball, outside off, Michael Leask just slogs this through mid-wicket and finds the gap!

Shorter this time, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! WHACK! Green is your name and green is the signal for me to go big, says McMullen! A length ball, outside off, Brandon McMullen gets across a touch, lifts his left leg up, ala flamingo style, similar to that of Kevin Pietersen and launches this straight back over the bowler's head, onto the sightscreen! 119 more needed from 59 balls.

Time for Cameron Green. Australia's 6th bowler of the day.

Outside off, punched towards long on for a single. Just 4 runs and a wicket from that over.

Full and outside off, better ball to choose the sweep but McMullen misses.

Short, outside off, helped through mid-wicket for a single.

Michael Leask walks in at number 6, replacing Charlie Tear.

OUT! LBW! You miss, I hit. In his previous over as well, Charlie Tear played a sweep shot to a very full ball from Zampa. Connected then. This time, on another fuller ball, he employed the sweep but missed it. And you cannot miss straight balls. The ball hit his pads and the umpire did not take much time to raise his finger. Tear departs for 5 (6), as Scotland lose 4/50 in 47 balls. They need another 127 from 63 balls.

Floated again, wider this time, Brandon McMullen drives this through mid off for a run.

Floated, outside off, Charlie Tear reaches out and drives it through the covers for a single.

FOUR! WALLOP! Your wish, is my command, says McMullen. After being chided to go over the top on the previous ball, Brandon McMullen responds fittingly. Gets a length ball, in line of the stumps and he stylishly whips it over mid-wicket. Unfortunately, the camera does not pan on either player's face to see the reactions but McMullen has done the talking with his bat. 129 more needed from 66 balls.

Slower ball, into the deck, Brandon pushes it towards Tim David at mid on. Stoinis sledges the batter chiding him to go over the top.

And again. This is played from the crease now. Over covers again, the timing is slightly better but not good enough for a boundary. A brace again.

Good batting. Stoinis continues with the hard length, so McMullen decides to change it up. Comes down the track and lofts it over cover. Does not get hold of it properly, so does not middle it. Just the couple.

Slower ball, on a length again, around off, well kept out.

On a good length, outside off, Brandon McMullen slashes but misses.

Mitchell Marsh is rotating his bowlers. Marcus Stoinis gets a change of ends. 1-0-6-1 so far.

Pretty full and straight, Charlie plays a dangerous shot, going for the sweep but connects. Gets it behind square leg and a couple of runs is the result.

Floated, outside off, BM chips it towards long off for one. 139 more needed from 73 balls.

The googly, outside off, fractionally shorter, Charlie Tear goes back and works it through mid-wicket. Takes the single, wants the second but is sent back.

Outside off, dabbed towards short third for a single.

Tossed up, outside off, turning away, Brandon McMullen gets down on a knee and slogs it down the ground. The ball races towards the long on boundary but Tim David races to his left and dives full stretch, to parry the ball towards long off. Saves a couple of runs.

Full and around off to start, watchfully prodded away.

Time for spin? Indeed. Here comes Adam Zampa.

Jumps out of his crease and nudges this through square leg for one more.

Short and wide outside off, slapped uppishly over point for a run.

Back of a length this time, flayed behind point for a single.

Outside off, short in length, McMullen looks to cut but misses.

Pretty full, outside off, shoots back in, McMullen is caught in his crease as he looks to flick. Misses and is hit on the pads. Abbott roars an appeal but the umpire moves away. The ball dribbles towards point and a leg bye is taken. Perhaps, the impact was outside off.

SIX! VIOLENCE! Sean Abbott comes into the attack and is welcomed in fine fashion! A short ball, outside off, Brandon McMullen pulls it over mid-wicket! 50 up for the home side. 147 more needed from 83 balls.

Outside off, coming back in, Charlie Tear lets it pass. Scotland's score reads 44/3 at the end of the Powerplay, as opposed to Australia's 54/2.

Charlie Tear walks in at number 5, replacing his skipper.

OUT! CAUGHT! Oh dear, in trying to counter pressure, he has given it away. Stoinis strikes in his opener. A hard-length ball, outside off, once again Richie Berrington tries to dominate the bowler. Jumps out of his crease and looks to go big. But is too close to the ball this time and only succeeds in getting a top edge. It has gone nowhere and Cameron Green completes the formalities calmly at cover. Richie Berrington departs for 5 (9) as Scotland have now lost 3/24 in the last 25 balls. They need another 153 from 85 balls.

FOUR! TONK! Well, that's one way of handling pressure. Berrington was getting into a closed zone for the last couple of overs, so he decided to break free. Jumps down the track, gets a length ball and hammers it straight back past the bowler through mid off.

Back of a length, outside off, Richie Berrington looks to cut but misses. Extra bounce defeats him.

On a good length, outside off, nipping back in, McMullen looks to work it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball deflects towards point and a leg bye is taken.

Full, around off, Brandon McMullen looks to flick but the ball curls back in, takes the inner half of the bat and flies over square leg. A couple of runs taken by the time long leg can mop up.

Time for a change, one guesses. Marcus Stoinis is introduced.

Another play and a miss. That's four plays and misses on the trot as the skipper attempts a flat-footed cut.

Beaten again. This one comes back in with the angle, Richie looks to dab it to the off side but misses.

On a good length, outside off, moving away off the seam, Berrington pushes at it, away from his body, without moving his feet and misses.

A short ball, pace taken, outside off, Richie Berrington goes for the pull but misses.

A length ball, outside off, Brandon McMullen pushes it down the ground again. This time, there is not much pace on the shot and Tim David gets to the ball from cover. Keeps the batters to a run.

On middle, Richie Berrington pushes it towards mid on and takes a quick single.

Will we see a change now? Nope. Hardie to continue.

Around off, defended solidly. 12 from that over.

FOUR! ELEGANT! Overpitched, outside off, Brandon McMullen leans into the shot and drives it through mid off. Australia have a slip in place and hence, not kept a mid off. The ball races through that zone to the fence.

Full and straight, pushed back to the bowler.

Around off, hint of away movement, patted to the off side.

SIX! THWACK! Well, if he was comprehensively beaten by pace on the previous ball, he has comprehensively dismissed this one! Fractionally short, outside off, McMullen gets onto it in a flash and pulls it over mid-wicket. 168 more needed from 100 balls.

On a good length, outside off, Brandon McMullen looks to flick but is comprehensively beaten by pace. Is hit on the pads, in front of the sticks, but a bit too high on impact, as the umpire moves away to the appeal from the Aussies. The ball rolls towards point and the batters go for the leg bye. The fielder comes in from point and fires a shy at the bowling end. He misses and the backing up is not that great, which allows an overthrow. Two leg byes overall.

Full but down the leg side, Brandon misses his flick this time. The ball goes off his pads behind square leg and a leg bye is taken. Good comeback by Bartlett after a punishing opening over.

WIDE. Bartlett loses his radar as he slips this down the leg side. No shot offered.

Beautifully bowled. This time Xavier Bartlett goes full, trying to exploit the swing. Finds some outswing as McMullen is lured into the cover drive. Gets beaten on the outside edge again.

On a good length again, outside off, Brandon McMullen pushes at it but then, there is some late away movement. Beats the defensive poke.

On a good length, outside off, pushed towards point.

On middle and leg, Richie Berrington looks to help it away but gets it off the hip. A leg bye taken towards square leg.

Skipper Richie Berrington walks in at number 4, replacing George Munsey.

OUT! CAUGHT! So the missed run out chance does not hurt Australia. A short ball, outside off, banged into the deck, George Munsey looks to slap it through the off side but with the ball going away from him, it means that he ends up playing it a lot straighter. Miscues it in the air and Mitchell Marsh takes it calmly to his left from mid off, with a bit of a jog. Munsey departs for 19 (9), as Scotland lose their openers in the span of 3 balls. 177 more needed from 107 balls.

Outside off, on a length, a swing and a miss from the new batter. Decent start with the ball by the Western Australian.

Brandon McMullen walks in at number 3, replacing Michael Jones.

OUT! CAUGHT! Hardie bends his back and gets the result. On a good length, around off, Michael Jones looks to pull but is done in by the pace and bounce. Gets a massive top edge on the leg side, which swirls high in the air. The keeper, Josh Inglis calls for it, running to his left, keeps his eyes on the ball and eventually, takes a good catch. Jones departs for 1(3), Scotland are 20/1 and need another 177 from 109 balls.

Around off, good bounce, pushed towards point.

Controversy, if this had been a direct hit! Phew, we have been saved from one for now. George Munsey walked down the pitch and seeing that, Aaron Hardie banged it into the pitch. Munsey was totally caught off guard as the ball reared up and took the gloves. It lobbed on the off side but he had no idea where the ball was. Jones, meanwhile, called him through for the single and at the same time, Hardie went towards his right to stop the ball. In the process, he collided with Jones, nearly pushing him away. Now, seeing his partner in the middle of the pitch, Munsey decided to run. Hardie got to the ball, turned, took aim and fired a throw at the bowler's end with Munsey already given up. Luckily for the batter, the shy missed the stumps.

A straightish ball, on a good length, Michael Jones just whips it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Fuller, around off, eased through point for a single. 179 more needed from 113 balls.

17 from the opener! On a good length again, this time closer to the off stump, GM steers it to the left of slip and gets a single to retain the strike.

FOUR! Slower ball, but wrong line. On a good length, but wide outside off, Munsey stands tall and punches it over cover!

SIX! Third bad ball on the trot and Munsey is in the mood again! Overpitched, on the leg stump, George Munsey just flicks it massively over backward square leg.

Ummm... gets away with that, does Xavier. He bowls it on a fuller length, on leg stump, once again, George looks to repeat the shot but misses due to the lack of pace. Mistimes it to square leg.

Boy, that is some start by Scotland and Munsey. Aaron Hardie to bowl from the other end.

SIX! Well, an error from Bartlett and he is punished! A length ball, down the leg side and it is easy pickings for the southpaw. Munsey just whips it nonchalantly over fine leg. There is a fielder stationed for the catch but he will have to go back into the crowd to catch that!

For the second time today. We have lost the ball and out comes the fourth umpire, with a set of replacement balls.

Straightaway into the deck. After watching the first innings, suspect you would get much fuller balls in this innings. On a good length, around middle, nipping back in, Munsey looks to work it to the leg side but misses and is cut into half, getting hit on the body.

Yes, he can! A dot on the last ball as Australia end up with 196 on the board. Wheal hurls it on a length, in the channel on off, Tim David winds up and swings to go down the ground but fails to connect. The batters do not try to sneak in a bye and the inning ends with a dot.

FOUR! Helped away! That will do nicely for David. Wheal takes the pace off and bowls it on a short of a length but the line is down leg. Tim David just has to get some bat on it and he does that. Helps it away to the left of the keeper and beats the sliding Mark Watt at short fine leg to his right for a boundary. Can Brad Wheal keep Australia under 200?

Angling in, full and on off, there to be put away. Tim David swings with all his might but connects with thin air as the ball goes past the inside edge.

Well bowled! Wheal gets the yorker in this time, around off. Tim David stays deep in his crease and swings to go over cover but misses.

SIX! This is even bigger! A monstrous hit from the big man! Wheal tries to go full but misses his mark by a long way. Ends up serving a low full toss. Tim David does not miss out as he clears his front leg and pumps it over deep mid-wicket for six more runs.

SIX! Tim David absolutely picked the bones out of that! Wheal goes short but it is not short enough to trouble the batter. Tim David stands tall and dispatches the pull over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

Who bowls the final over? McMullen or Wheal? The latter. Brad Wheal has figures of 3-0-35-0 so far.

Back of a length, on off, punched off the back foot to deep cover for a single by David. Very surprising to not see Sole bowl overs. Figures of 3-0-17-1 definitely raise a huge shout out for that missing 4th over. Great stuff though, to comeback nicely after injury.

Tim David walks in at number 6, replacing Josh Inglis.

OUT! CAUGHT! Chris Sole roars in delight! End of a fine knock from Inglis and the crowd stands up to applaud as he leaves the field. Sole takes all the pace off and goes short, on off. Josh Inglis has to get the power behind the shot to go big on the off side. He backs away and tries to thump it over cover. Ends up spooning it straight into the hands of cover where Richie Berrington makes no mistake. Inglis departs for a fantastic 103 (49) and the quickfire 64-run stand is broken as well. Australia are 179/4 with 7 balls left.

Sole tucks the batter up for room and goes full. Inglis clips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Digs it in short does Sole, near the tramline on off. Josh Inglis reaches out to slap it away but misses. Has a look at the umpire but there is no signal of wide.

Sole bends his back and digs it in short, Marcus Stoinis gets on top of the bounce and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Full and on the pads. Marcus Stoinis tries to help it away off his pads. The ball brushes his pads and it goes behind where the keeper dives away to his left to make the stop.

So Currie does not get a 5-fer as he goes for 14 in his final over. But if we dissect it to the fact that the first 2 balls went for biggies, it can be put down to a phenomenal comeback. A wonderful outing for him - 4-0-37-3. Chris Sole is back on, to bowl the 19th over. 2-0-13-0 so far. Suspect that Wheal will bowl the 20th over.

Currie gets out of the over well! After back-to-back sixes, the next four balls go for just 2 runs. This is on a fullish length, at the stumps, Josh Inglis goes for the reverse scoop but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Well bowled! Currie bowls the off-pace delivery, on a back of a length, leaving the batter. Josh Inglis swings for the pull but misses.

Currie takes pace off and goes into the deck. Marcus Stoinis hangs back and goes early into his pull. Toe ends this one past the bowler for a single.

Very full by Currie, angling across, on off. Josh Inglis carves it wide of backward point for a single.

SIX! BOOM! Josh Inglis gets to his 2nd T20I HUNDRED with back-to-back sixes! Inglis has looked the part today, treating pacers and spinners with equal disdain. He will look to keep going and give Australia a strong finish. Full again by Currie, on the pads too. Josh Inglis picks up the length and line early. He does not miss out as he clobbers it over deep mid-wicket for six more runs. Takes the helmet off and soaks in the applause from the crowd and his teammates. A century in just 43 balls.

SIX! Clean strike! Currie misses his mark as he goes full and on the pads. Josh Inglis swats it nicely and gets more than enough bat on it to clear the deep backward square leg fence with a biggie. Brings up the 50-run stand in 33 balls.

So after all the talk, Watt has an ordinary outing today. He goes for 44 in his 4 overs, which is totally unlike him. But Scotland are squeezing things nicely here. Maybe 200 is distant from here on. Brad Currie to bowl out. Can he bag a 5-fer? 3-0-23-3 so far.

Watt serves it on a fullish length, on middle and leg. Marcus Stoinis gets inside the line of the ball and reverse sweeps it to beat backward point to his right for a couple of runs. The start started well over for Watt but at the end, has gone for 10 runs.

On a length, angling in, on middle, heaved away to deep mid-wicket for a single by Inglis.

FOUR! Excellent footwork! Watt floats it up, full and on off, Josh Inglis puts the dancing shoes on and gets to the pitch of the ball. Drills it to the right of cover and beats long off to his left for a boundary.

Watt drags the length back and attacks the stumps, Marcus Stoinis stays back and punches it down to long on for one more run.

Watt tosses it up and keeps it full, on middle, Josh Inglis makes room and drives it to deep cover for a single.

Watt spots Stoinis backing away and he follows him with a yorker. Marcus Stoinis can only jam it out to long on for a single.

Mark Watt to bowl out, in the 17th over. 3-0-34-0 so far.

Yes, he can! Good last couple of overs for Scotland. Just 8 runs off the last 12 balls. Wheal bowls it on a back of a length, Marcus Stoinis pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Angling in, on a nagging length, on middle and leg. Marcus Stoinis swings to go big on the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Can Wheal close out the over here?

Wheal errs in line but gets away with it! Slower and shorter but down leg. Josh Inglis tries to help it away but he is early into his shot. Gets it along the carpet to deep fine leg for one.

Wheal bangs it into the deck again but bowls it with pace this time. Marcus Stoinis rolls his wrists on the ball and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Wheal takes pace off and goes into the wicket but the line is down leg. Marcus Stoinis swivels to get the pull shot away but fails to lay any bat on it. Gets it off the gloves and it dribbles behind to the keeper.

Wheal bowls it on a back of a length, outside off. Josh Inglis stands tall and slaps it along the ground to deep point for a single.

That was an excellent 15th over. Sole went for just 4, which means Australia have scored 94/1 in 9 overs of the middle phase. Whether that is acceptable or not based on the ground dimensions, only time will tell.  Brad Wheal returns. 2-0-31-0 so far.

On a good length, right at the stumps, The Hulk blocks again.

Outside off, slapped through the covers for a brace.

Good delivery from the bowler. Sole bends his back and lands it on the back of a length, outside off. Marcus looks to defend but the ball comes in with the angle and goes past the outside edge.

Short again, Josh Inglis pulls it towards deep mid-wicket this time, for the same result as the previous ball.

Dropped short, around off, Stoinis swivels and pulls it powerfully towards deep square leg for a single. The stand moves to 30 from 16 balls.

On a good length, around off, Marcus Stoinis defends.

Another bowling change. Chris Sole is back on. Went for 9 in his opener.

Outside off, punched through point for a single. Runs off every ball of that over, yielding 16 in total. 27 in the last 2 overs.

SIX! Up, up and away! There goes the Hulk, demonstrating his power, getting the second six of the over. His first. Floated, on middle, Stoinis gets down and GENTLY lobs it. Yes, we repeat that word - gently. It is just a casual flick but the power on that takes it well over the fielder at long on.

Quicker, on middle, Josh works it through mid-wicket for one more.

Around off, punched through the covers for a run.

Short ball again, this time Inglis cuts it to the right of sweeper. He takes the single, then sees a fumble. Wants the second but Stoinis sends him back. The stand moves to 20 from 10 balls.

Where's the ball? Somewhere down the road. No road rash at this point in time so better for the fourth umpire to come out with a box of replacement balls. We are ready now.

SIX! THWACK! Josh Inglis picks the length up so quickly. Chris Greaves returns into the attack and delivers a short ball right on off. The ball skids onto the batter who just rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket.

Fired onto the pads, Marcus Stoinis misses his flick and wears it on his pads. 11 from that over, Mark Watt has gone for 34 in his 3 overs.

On middle and leg, punched down to long on for a single.

Outside off, punched straight to cover.

FOUR! Excellent batting! Use of the feet on the previous ball meant that this could be a short and quick ball. That's exactly the ball Inglis gets, and he is ready. Goes back and pulls it through the leg side, splitting deep mid-wicket and long on. The stand moves to 12 from 5 balls.

FOUR! THUNDEROUS! A bit of flight, on middle and leg, Josh Inglis comes down the track and hammers it straight back down the ground, to the right of the bowler. Michael Jones gives it his all to his left at long on but comes second.

Short, around off, Inglis rocks back and punches it through the covers for a couple.

Another change. Mark Watt is back on. 2-0-23-0 so far.

Around middle, helped through square leg for another single. Just 8 runs and a wicket from that over. Brad Currie's figures read 3-0-23-3!

Around off, Marcus Stoinis gently opens the face of his bat and guides it towards short third. An alert Inglis calls his partner through for a quick single.

Marcus Stoinis walks in at number 5, replacing Cameron Green.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! It is Brad Currie's day in Edinburgh for sure! His third scalp. A good bumper, at head height, on middle, Cameron Green looks to go for the hook but is done in by the pace and bounce. Gets a massive top edge which goes straight up in the air, towards square leg. Currie calls for it, running towards the ball keeping eyes on it, in front of the grey skies and takes a very well-judged catch. The crowd and Scotland rejoice as the mammoth 92-run stand is broken. Green departs for 36 (29), Australia are 115/3 after 11.4 overs!

Another slower ball, fuller in length, Inglis punches it down to long on for a run.

FOUR! The attack is on from both ends now. Width again from Currie, on a fuller length, Josh Inglis leans and carves this to the right of sweeper. Beats the attempted save to his right. The stand moves to 91 from 50 balls.

Full and wide outside off, no pace offered, Cameron Green gets down on a knee and blasts it to the left of long off for a single.

Another change? Supposedly. Or it might just be a change of ends for Greaves. The wicket-taker, Brad Currie returns. 2-0-15-2 so far.

Outside off, punched through point for a single.

A length ball, outside off, cutting back in, Cameron swings hard but misses.

SIX! THUMP! Watch out in the crowd! A good bouncer, around off, with pace taken off, Cameron Green backs away to the leg side and smashes the cut shot over cover. There is a spectator who is ready to take the catch but takes the blow from the shot instead! Hope he is okay. The stand moves to 85 from 46 balls.

On a good length, outside off, Josh Inglis opens the face of his bat and guides it towards deep third for a run.

Full, outside off, Green hammers it through the covers where the fielder does really well, taking the sting and parrying the ball to long off. What could have been a boundary turns out to be just a single.

On a good length, outside off, Cameron Green looks to nudge it to the leg side but the ball hurries onto him. Takes the inside edge and hits the pads, dribbling beside him.

Double change. Chris Sole comes onto to bowl as well. The 6th bowler of the proceedings.

100 comes up for Australia! Greaves slips in the googly but the length stays short, Cameron Green hits it with the spin to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Greaves keeps it short and on middle, Josh Inglis punches it down to long on and gets to the other end.

Short and on middle and leg, Cameron Green heaves it away to wide long on for a single.

SIX! Just over! Brandon McMullen for a moment, thought he was in business. Greaves floats it up but ends up serving it right in the arc, Cameron Green clears his front leg and pumps it down the ground. Clears the leaping McMullen at long on for a six.

Short and on off, Cameron Green steers it from the crease to backward point.

Greaves starts from over the wicket, a tossed-up delivery, full and on middle, Josh Inglis swipes it through mid-wicket for a single.

Change? Yes. Time for some leg spin. Chris Greaves into the attack.

Short and sliding on, at the stumps, Josh Inglis pushes it from the crease to long on and retains the strike with a single.

SIX! WOW! Josh Inglis gets to his FIFTY in style! After the early loss of the openers, Inglis has taken the attack to the opposition and has dictated the terms. He will look to convert this into a bigger score. Watt attacks the stumps and bowls it full, Josh Inglis makes room and lets his hands flow into the shot. Extends his hands and carves it over cover for a biggie. A half century in just 20 balls. His maiden fifty in T20Is. The last and only time he crossed 50 in a T20I, he doubled that.

Short and on off, knocked off the back foot to long off for a single by Green.

Fired in, on off, on a length, Cameron Green drives it to cover.

Short and on off, Cameron Green stands tall and slaps it on the bounce to cover where the fielder fails to make a clean stop. The ball gets parried off his hands, to the left of long off for a couple of runs.

Pushed through by Watt, on a nagging length, Josh Inglis punches it through covers and takes the single.

The on-air commentators inform us that after the incidents in the previous match, the MCC had a pre-scheduled meeting. One of the topics discussed was Mark Watt's long ball, specifically involving Josh Inglis. So the verdict was that the adjudicators were convinced that Inglis was not 100 percent ready before the ball was delivered and was fully within his rights to pull out. However, for the future, the advice is that the umpire needs to have a word with the batter, more like a soft warning, if the feeling is that the batter did it deliberately. Meanwhile, Michael Jones, who hurt his right shoulder while throwing a ball in the previous over, is being attended to, by the physio and the doctor, outside the playing arena.

At the hips again, on a back of a length, helped down to deep backward square leg for a single by Inglis. Another expensive over from Wheal, it goes for 12.

Angling in, at the hips, on a hard length, Josh Inglis gets on his toes and turns it to the right of deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Delivers it on a back of a length does Wheal, on off. Cameron Green makes room and guides it wide of deep third. Michael Jones runs to his right and has to put in the dive to make the stop. He is quick to release the throw to keep it down to one but seems to have hurt his right shoulder after releasing the throw.

Into the wicket by Wheal again, on middle and leg, Josh Inglis hops and nudges it to deep backward square leg for a single.

SIX! Innovative and extremely effective! Wheal goes full and bowls it around off. Josh Inglis pulls out the reverse scoop and stays still on the point of contact. Gets under the ball nicely and gets it over the deep third fence for a six.

On a shortish length, on off. Cameron Green gets on top of the bounce and runs it down to deep third with an open bat face for a single.

So that's a bit of an expensive start for Mark Watt, as he goes for 12 in his opener. What was impressive in that over though, was that the umpire was holding his left hand out, till HE was convinced that the batter was ready. No dead ball signalled so far.

Short and on off, cut away along the carpet to deep point for a single by Green.

Fired in, short and on middle. Cameron Green looks to get this one on the leg side but the ball rushes him and he bunts his shot beside the pitch on the leg side.

Good running! Full and on the pads, Cameron Green tucks it in the vacant mid-wicket region and comes charging back for the second run.

FOUR! Sloppy from Michael Leask and he gifts away Australia a boundary. This will not please Mark Watt one bit. Fuller from Watt, on off, Cameron Green drives it through covers and it rolls along to deep cover where Michael Leask runs in off the ropes and bends to pick the ball up. The ball pops up a bit and Leask fails to adjust to it. The ball gets past his hands for a boundary.

Short and sliding on with the arm, Josh Inglis punches it down to long off and gets to the other end.

FOUR! Inglis gets it through! Watt bowls it fractionally short, on off. Josh Inglis makes room and gets himself on the back foot. Cuts well and beats backward point to his right for a boundary.

So 26 runs in the first 4 overs and more than those in the last 2 overs. Fair enough to say, it has been a 50-50 Powerplay, with Scotland starting well and Australia ending well. Time for change of pace. Mark Watt and his 'long ball' into the attack.

Wheal goes into the deck and bowls it at the batter. Josh Inglis hops and helps the pull down to fine leg for one. 19 runs off the over. At the end of the Powerplay, Australia are 55/2.

This is on a back of a length, tucked off the back foot to mid-wicket by Inglis.

FOUR! Wheal overcompensates and gets punished! 16 runs off the over already. Wheal tries to go full but overcooks and bowls it on off. Josh Inglis gets on the front foot and presents the full face of the bat. Drives it to the right of the diving Mark Watt at mid off who gets a hand on it but it is not enough to prevent the ball from going past him.

SIX! BANG! Stand and deliver! Wheal goes short but this sits up nicely and there is not much pace on it to trouble the batter. Josh Inglis hangs on the back foot and nails the pull over deep square leg for six more runs.

Wheal bangs it on a hard length again, on middle and leg, Josh Inglis works it away off his hips to the right of deep square leg and comes charging back for the second run.

SIX! Josh Inglis gets the desired result on the scoop this time! Wheal starts off on a back of a length from over the wicket, over middle. Josh Inglis moves across to the off side early and scoops it up and over short fine leg for a six.

Will we see a change? Yes, we do. Brad Wheal comes on to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Outside off, slower ball again, Inglis carves it over point for a run. 10 from the over.

Terrific improvisation. Both the Free Hits do not cost much for Scotland. Josh Inglis backs away to the leg side pretty early and seeing that, Brandon bowls a slower ball, on middle. But Inglis still manages to connect with his attempted reverse scoop, top-edging it over the keeper towards fine leg. Two runs taken.

ANOTHER NO BALL! Brandon McMullen has his hands on his hips. It is another excellent delivery, a yorker on leg stump, jammed down towards long on for a single but the error was committed before the ball reached the batter. Overstepping. FREE HIT CONTINUES!

NO BALL! McMullen oversteps and bowls this around off, the delivery is excellent, squaring Green up but it is an extra delivery loading up. FREE HIT COMING UP!

FOUR! Finally Green gets one away. Outside off, again enough width, with the length being in between full and good, Cameron Green backs away slightly to the leg side and drives this through the covers, beating the diving attempt of a fielder to his left.

Hattrick of dots. On a good length, outside off, Green backs away and slaps it hard but finds point.

Fuller, outside off, Cameron Green drives it to the left of mid off. No single taken.

On a good length, around off, punched back to the bowler.

Another edge. This time the outside one. On a good length, around off, Cameron Green pushes at it but gets a thick outside edge towards Mark Watt at short third. Seeing the fielder relaxed, Inglis calls Green through for a quick single. 2-0-15-2 for Brad Currie so far!

A length ball, around off, Josh Inglis swings hard, only to get another inside edge through the leg side. Australia are struggling big time to time their shots.

Outside off, pushed through the covers with soft hands for a run. Off the mark, is Green.

Fuller on length stump, eked out to short mid-wicket.

As expected, Cameron Green comes in at number 4, replacing Jake Fraser-McGurk.

OUT! CAUGHT! Scotland have both the openers back in the hut. With the start not as quite as quick for Australia, Jake Fraser-McGurk was trying to get on top of the bowling. A length ball it was and Fraser-McGurk just looked to heave it out of the park. Got a lot of air on this one and had this been in the previous over, this would have been a boundary. But after that missed chance, mid-wicket was pushed back to long on and Chris Sole calmly accepted the catch. Oops, he fumbled, but took it in the next attempt. Jake Fraser-McGurk departs for 16 (16), Australia are 23/2 after 3.2 overs!

On a good length, around off, Josh Inglis dabs it towards cover and scampers across for a single.

WAS THAT A DROP? Lucky escape for Jake Fraser-McGurk. A length ball, around off, Fraser-McGurk looks to flick but then checks his shot. In the end, he plays a nothing shot with the bat lying horizontal in the air. The ball takes the leading edge and Chris Sole rushes back from mid-wicket inside the circle, but cannot dive back in time. Two runs taken.

Outside off, another slash and a miss.

A stumping appeal, but to no avail! No third umpire or DRS in this series, remember. On a good length, on off stump, JFM moves leg side to try and hammer this through the off side but is beaten. Luckily for him, the ball comes in, beats the inside edge and goes over the stumps. Wicketkeeper Charlie Tear collects the ball and quickly takes the bails off, appealing to both umpires - but both shake their head. Replays show that Jake's foot was always inside the crease.

Outside off, another heave attempted, only to miss.

On a good length, around off, Fraser-McGurk inside-edges his heave towards mid on.

FOUR! Well, the conditions are perfect for swing bowling. And this ball is perfect for the batter. Because it is short and wide which does nothing beneficial to the bowler. Jake Fraser-McGurk crashes it over cover.

On a good length outside off, nipping back in, Josh is caught in his crease as he tries to block and is hit on the pads. Good start from Currie as well.

FOUR! Inglis is away. Landed outside off, fuller in length, but a bit wide, Josh Inglis stays back a touch and carves it over backward point. That requires a lot of skill.

WIDE! Miles down the leg side, Inglis lets it go. Good diving collection by the keeper again, to his left.

Will it be Marsh or Green at 3? Or maybe, the Hulk? Neither. It is Josh Inglis who has walked out at number 3, replacing Travis Head.

OUT! BOWLED! Straight through! Hero the other day but zero today! Lovely ball from Currie. He lands it on a length outside off and gets it to curve back in. Head is not quite ready for the incoming ball and is late in getting his bat down. The ball goes right through the gap between bat and pad and hits the top of the middle stump! So a consecutive duck for Australia in terms of their opening batters. Fraser-McGurk the other day, Head today. Australia are 11/1 after 1.4 overs!

WIDE. Exceptional take from Charlie Tear, the wicketkeeper. A length ball, down the leg side, Travis Head looks to whip but misses. The ball seams further away after pitching but Tear dives full length to his right to stop it cleanly.

Slower ball, on a length, around off, Jake swings hard, across the line and gets a thick inside edge through square leg. A single taken.

FOUR! THRASH! That's the power of this young lad. Short and wide outside off, Fraser-McGurk slams it through point. Michael Jones dives to his left over there and gets a hand to it, but still cannot take much pace off the shot. The ball rolls into the fence behind.

A length ball, outside off, slanting away, Jake Fraser-McGurk slashes hard, without moving his feet and misses.

A good start for the Scots then. Save aside that first ball, it was a good opening over from McMullen. Brad Currie will share the new-ball attack from the other end.

Down the leg side, slanting in, helped through square leg for a single.

Another good diving stop. On a good length, outside off, JFM opens the face of his bat and guides it through point but the fielder there dives to his left to make it into another dot ball.

Around off, pushed into the off side.

Excellent fielding! Outside off, Jake hammers this through the covers but the fielder stationed there dives to his left to a rupturous applause from the crowd.

Lovely ball. On a good length, around off, moving away, Fraser-McGurk is squared up but just about manages to get bat on ball. The outside edge goes along the ground to Mark Watt at short third.

FOUR! Not totally in control but the batter will take it. A short ball outside off, plenty of width, Jake Fraser-McGurk throws his hands at it and gets a thick outside edge. But it flies to the right of short third and escapes to the fence behind.

Right then. Flower Of Scotland has been played and we are all set for the game to begin, after a 30-minute delay. The conditions are still not ideal for playing, but much better than what they were in the morning. So hopefully, as the day and game wears on, the conditions get better. The Scots spread out onto the field as the two Aussie openers - Jake Fraser-McGurk and Travis Head - get ready to follow suit. Cameron Green was padded up during the national anthems, which suggests that he might be coming in at 3 or 4 today. Let's see how it goes. It will be Brandon McMullen to get things going to Fraser-McGurk. Here we go then...

It is a packed house at The Grange today and the same is expected for Saturday as well. Conditions do look grim but even that has not stopped the fans from coming and supporting their team and sport. A bit bizarre, but the players are getting ready for their respective national anthems. The last we knew, only the first match of a bilateral series was supposed to have the national anthem. Maybe, it got changed for the better. Always exciting to view and hear the national anthems of countries. Australia's first, to be followed by Scotland's. As a tradition, always the visiting team's national anthem is played first. In neutral cases, the team listed second on the sheet has its anthem played first.

Australia's captain, Mitchell Marsh, says that they would have bowled first as well. Looking at the overhead conditions, he says that this feels quite far away from home. Hopes to get off to a good start and take it from there. Informs that they have made one change with Aaron Hardie coming in for Riley Meredith.

Scotland's skipper, Richie Berrington says that he wants to make use of the moisture under the surface and anything else that might be available. Expects a better bowling show today but is also guarded against getting anything easy. Is looking forward to some early wickets with the new ball. Manages to remember all the 5 changes made to his playing XI for the day. Impressive.

Wow. That's some number of changes. As expected, Australia have rested a fast bowler and made that sole change with Hardie replacing Meredith but Scotland have made as many as 5 CHANGES. Part of those welcomes the experience of Greaves and Sole. So we can definitely expect a better bowling display from the hosts this afternoon.

Scotland (Playing XI) - George Munsey, Michael Jones (IN FOR OLLIE HAIRS), Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (C), Charlie Tear (WK) (IN FOR MATTHEW CROSS), Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Chris Greaves (IN FOR JACK JARVIS), Chris Sole (IN FOR CHARLIE CASSELL), Brad Wheal and Brad Currie (IN FOR JASPER DAVIDSON).

Australia (Playing XI) - Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Josh Inglis (WK), Aaron Hardie (IN FOR RILEY MEREDITH), Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Cameron Green, Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett and Adam Zampa.

TOSS - We have our first wish come true. The game was pushed back due to foggy conditions which have lifted slightly. The flip of the coin has happened and it has gone the home side's way. Heads was the call from Mitchell Marsh but it came down as Tails. SCOTLAND HAVE ELECTED TO CHASE. From what we saw in the first game, the conditions got better as the game wore on. The Scots will hope that is the case here as well.

Talking about more updates, India are raving about their latest sensation - MUSHEER KHAN. In one of the ongoing Duleep Trophy matches between India A and India B in Bengaluru, Musheer's side, India B, were rocked at 94/7 - only to finish on a commanding 321 - 181 of which was scored single-handedly by Musheer Khan. Given that he is just 19 years old, his future does look bright, as long as he maintains this consistency. In another game happening in Anantapur, between India C and India D, another upcoming youngster - MANAV SUTHAR - a left-arm orthodox spinner - is staking his claims with a 5-fer in his team's second innings with the ball. Of course, there are big names in this competition but given that the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami could not be playing for too long, with due respect to their fitness, these domestic tournaments always serve as an eye for the next Rohit, or the next Kohli or simply, the next big Indian for the future. All the best to all these youngsters and future aspirants.

Now that we have talked about England, let's take a peek into their T20 cricket played with the red ball. Ha ha, just an alternative term for Bazball, aye? And with Brendon McCullum being appointed as England's coach for white-ball cricket as well, one can just imagine the different types of records that could be broken by the creators of the sport. Coming to the match, we are talking about the third Test between England and Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval, which begins from today. Pretty much the usual has happened so far, with the hosts hammering 8 fours and a six in 90 balls - that's a boundary (four or a six) every 10 balls. And as usual, Dan Lawrence has struggled to find out where his off stump is and gone early while at the other end, Ben Duckett has already raked up 51 inside almost an hour. England were rollicking along at 76/1 after 15 overs when the skies started to get further greyish and that further led to some precipitation. If comments were expected to be trusted on social media regarding that game, the ones covering that match for today might well have an early homecoming - but be careful, one short day means long, extended other days. So, all the best, guys.

TOSS DELAYED! Boooooooooooooooo... Let's be honest. All those who are staying in the UK or following the matches happening in Europe, we all saw this coming, didn't we? The weather forecast for Friday does not look promising at all, albeit England might have to bear most of the brunt. But there will be some effect on their neighbours and hence, this game could be interrupted frequently. As of now, the toss has been pushed back to 1 pm GMT, with the match start predicted to be hopeful at 1.30 pm GMT. Fingers crossed.

What's in this series for Australia? With no disrespect to anyone, not much. If they win, they don't stand to gain much as they were always expected to win and if they lose, they will be wary of what the English press would address them, ahead of their next series. Wednesday's approach, especially the batting, seemed to suggest that Australia want to be the dictating force or the enforcer and not want any bowler settle. There is no Glenn Maxwell in this series and they have got to do without David Warner now, but the exciting Jake Fraser-McGurk and Cooper Connolly will aim to fill in the slots of the ones missing or left the game. The bowlers were impressive in the first T20I but there is always room for improvement and as mentioned for Scotland, the Aussies too, would be looking to adapt quicker this time around.

No such worries in the Scottish camp as they get ready to go again at the Aussies. Their bowling was treated disdainfully on Wednesday but in Brandon McMullen, Charlie Cassell and Jack Jarvis, there is a lot of potential. Add to that, the experience of Brad Wheal, Mark Watt, Chris Greaves and Chris Sole, the bowling attack does pack a punch. There would have been plenty of criticisms regarding the hosts' bowling on Wednesday, but the main one would have been lack of adaptability to the conditions. The first T20I's pitch was on the slower side and had some bounce. Australia also struggled for the first half with the ball, but then adapted to the conditions beautifully, bringing the slower-ball bouncer into fray. Unfortunately for the home side, their bowling Powerplay was so devastating that their shoulders shrugged pretty quickly. But, we all learn from our mistakes and that is something which Berrington and the bowling management would have enforced upon the team.

Now-a-days, there is hardly cricket played on successive days by the same team. We usually see this happen primarily in West Indies where they play on both, Saturday and Sunday, to get maximum crowd attendance. Scotland and Australia are doing that in this series, with the second and third T20I slated for Friday and Saturday. This definitely means that there is going to be a rotation of players - especially the fast bowlers - from both sides. And on that note, the visitors have suffered a major blow. NATHAN ELLIS, who was supposed to lead Australia's fast bowling attack, in the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, finds himself on the sidelines after an injury picked up in the recently concluded The Hundred sees him not only miss this tour, but the upcoming tour of England as well. Having always been chosen as a 'back-up seamer' in case if one of the 'Big Three' needed a break, Ellis would have been keen to establish his credentials as the leader for Australia's future. Sadly, the time has not come yet. 

Focus on the game and the commotion outside will settle down automatically. This has to be the mantra for Richie Berrington and his team. In reality, this series was never supposed to happen, as initially, Australia were to tour Ireland and then embark on their journey to England. But unfortunately, something happened at the last minute and Ireland backed off. Australia then requested Scotland and therein came a great opportunity. You can play as many close games as you want in World Cups, but unless you prove yourself consistently, you are not going to be looked at. Ireland's loss is Scotland's gain and with this 3-match T20I series, a win or even running the Aussies close could open the door for more bilateral series for Scotland.

Watt's so-called 'long ball' first made its issue in the latest T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, where a couple of balls were deemed as dead balls, as the batters claimed they were not ready. Mark himself admits that he is playing with the rules, going alongside the greyish area of the booklet but at the same time, it is not something which is outside the book. In fact, I remember a series in India, when the Aussies had visited the Indian shores shortly after the 2007 T20 World Cup. In that series, Sreesanth started to bowl from behind the stumps, but in front of the umpire. It helped him irritate the likes of Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds as he tried to get under their skin, but again, it was not something illegal. Given that MW openly issued a statement before the start of the series that Scotland would be after a little of blood, this might well be a bit of a counter by the Men from Down Under, as a response to someone trying to get under their skin.

But along with the records, came a bit of controversy as well. Not once, but twice. Mark Watt, Scotland's left-arm spinner, has devised this new technique of releasing the ball from behind the umpire. But the issue was not because of the distance but because of the time at which he was releasing the ball. In the first T20I, first Josh Inglis and then Marcus Stoinis, pulled out of the deliveries pretty late, almost after the ball was bowled. Now, as per the rule, a batter is allowed to bail out but before the ball is released. Understandably, both Inglis and Stoinis claimed they were not ready but a closer look at both deliveries suggests that both batters were looking at Watt with concentration, only to pull out at the last moment. So, as the on-air commentator suggested, is this a tactic from the Australian management to try and unsettle Watt and the Scots?

Plenty of records were shattered on Wednesday, most notably being the highest Powerplay score across all T20s, as the Aussies raced to 113/1 at the end of 6 overs. Not quite sure whether this is also a record of sorts but it does provide a good viewing - for a span of 14 balls, Australia scored just boundaries - four or a six. From 3.5 to 5.6, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh hammered 66 runs - that means 66 in 14 balls - ouch. It was serving as a good exercise for the umpires as they just kept stretching their arms sideways or extending them upwards.

Hello and a warm welcome to the second match of the T10 series between Scotland and Australia in Edinburgh. Oops... was that a typo? T10 or T20? Well, in the first match, Scotland did their bit, batting out their 20 overs, but with the ball, they could not even finish 10. More than the loss, it would be the manner of the loss which would be hurting the Scots and perhaps, it could be a blessing in disguise to play back-to-back T20Is to try and win the series, to forget that bashing.

... MATCH DAY ...

After a record-shattering, one-sided encounter in the first match, Australia will be eager to extend their dominance as they take on Scotland in the second match of this three-game T20I series. With the series at stake, Scotland face a must-win scenario to keep their hopes of defeating Australia and securing the series alive. The first match was nothing short of a spectacle for Australia, as they demolished Scotland’s bowling attack, chasing down 155 runs in just 9.4 overs. Despite a solid start from the Scottish batters on a pitch that typically favours runs, they couldn’t convert their promising starts into substantial scores. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and while the runs kept ticking, Scotland struggled to maintain momentum, ultimately losing wickets at crucial moments. With the ball, Scotland got off to a promising start but were soon undone by the heroics and sheer power of Travis Head, who, alongside skipper Mitchell Marsh, put together a blistering 113-run partnership off just 34 balls. This explosive stand set the stage for Josh Inglis to steer the chase to a quick conclusion. Scotland’s bowlers never managed to truly challenge the Australian batters, as boundaries flowed freely, making it a forgettable day for the bowling unit. On the Australian side, their relatively new pace attack took time to settle, but they bounced back strongly in the latter stages, stemming the flow of runs and consistently taking wickets, ultimately restricting Scotland to 154. Jake Fraser-McGurk, on his debut, didn’t have the outing he would have hoped for, but Travis Head stood tall, smashing an incredible 80 off just 25 balls, making the chase look effortless. Now, with both teams gaining valuable insight into how the wicket behaves, especially its slowness and variable bounce, the bowlers will look to adapt and make better use of the conditions. Despite taking a heavy beating in the first game, Scotland have the temperament to stage a strong comeback and will be hoping for sharper execution from their bowlers. Australia, while dominant, will aim to tighten up their bowling and secure another victory. Who are you backing to take this one? We’ll find out soon enough!