Why Scotland cricket star Michael Leask doesn’t fear Australia ahead of must win T20 World Cup clash – ‘take them on head first’

Michael Leask is under no illusions about the magnitude of the task Scotland faces in St Lucia during the T20 World Cup, but is ready to take on an Australian side he rates among the best in the world.

Scotland performed admirably in Group B, batting confidently before being knocked out by England before beating Oman and Namibia to leave qualification in their own hands.

But the final part of the equation will be the toughest: taking on and beating a side that already can call itself Test and ODI world champions and is looking to secure an unprecedented hat-trick of titles this month.

Scotland could still go through with a defeat if England also fail to beat Namibia a few hours earlier, but Leask is not counting on anyone other than his own team.

“It’s a must-win game, it always has been,” he said. “I think we knew this was going to be the case going into this game. It’s a great opportunity for us.

Aussies are undefeated in Group B and look ominous early (photo, paceman Josh Hazlewood)

“We will still have to play our best cricket because we know Australia has a great team.

“They have all been in the IPL, they have all been everywhere and on their day they will dominate the side. It is not without reason that they are the best in the world as a collective unit, but we will have to put pressure on them one way or another.

“We know that to win the match we have to bat extremely well and we have to stick to our disciplines with the ball and bowl really well against a star-studded line-up.

“We need two or three guys who really want to put on a show and basically get them out there first.

‘I think it would be an incredibly proud moment for Scottish cricket if we went through to the Super Eights, but let’s not beat around the bush.

‘It would be a difficult road. We’re going to have to bring our A-game and compete against them.”

One weapon Scotland have at their disposal is the crafty turn of Mark Watt, whose trademark ’25-yard’ delivery, sent down from a few paces behind the stumps, caused a minor controversy against Oman.

He was denied a wicket with the innovative tactic, designed to catch the batsman off guard, when the umpire called dead ball to spare Khalid Kail.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa snared four wickets against Namibia and will be a key figure with the ball against Scotland

There is nothing in the law that prevents bowling before the crease and a fearless Watt is ready to try his luck against Australia.

“I can guarantee he will bowl more than one against Australia, let’s hope he takes a few wickets,” Leask said.

‘He took a lot of wickets with it. “I think at the end of the day it’s up to the referee’s discretion and they made the right call that day, but he’ll do it again.”

The game starts on Sunday from 10:30am AEDT.