Scotland all-rounder Michael Leask is confident they can claim a historic series win over Australia in their three T20Is in Edinburgh.
Scotland have never beaten Australia in any format, though they came close to a stunning upset in the group stage of the T20 World Cup in June, eventually losing out by five wickets.
The Scots also looked set to upset at-the-time reigning champions England in the tournament, only to be denied the chance by torrential rain as the match was abandoned.
Given a rare opportunity to face one of cricket's powerhouses outside global events, Leask is keen to prove that Scotland have what it takes to go up against the big teams.
"It's lovely to have Australia on our home patch, especially for three games," Leask told BBC Scotland.
"It's an exciting opportunity for our guys, given what happened at the World Cup and how close we came.
"We've got a very exciting squad that’s ready for the challenge - it is going to be a challenge - they are some of the best in the world for a reason, but they are on our home patch.
"We're targeting a series win and that would be the icing on the cake of what has been a very good summer."
Meanwhile, despite being firm favourites to win the series, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh is not going to take anything for granted against Scotland.
Marsh is leading a new-look Australia side, with Matthew Wade and the now-retired David Warner unable to be called on.
Despite their strong record against Scotland, he believes they will be in for a tough test at The Grange.
"Scotland were well drilled [at the World Cup], certainly up for the challenge, and it was a great game of cricket," Marsh said. "I'm sure there will be more of that over the next few days.
"It's spoken about it a lot, but Scotland are a good cricket team, and they have improved a lot.
"The more cricket that teams like Scotland can play against the bigger nations, the better it is for the world game.
"It's our responsibility as players to keep growing the game, so I certainly hope they get more opportunities over the next period of time."
The first of the three T20Is will take place on Wednesday.
Trinidad & Tobago secures CWI Rising Stars Under-17 50-over Championship title
Trinidad and Tobago are champions of the 2024 Cricket West Indies Rising Stars Men’s Under-17 50-overs Championship.
With rain ruining their game against Barbados at Inshan Ali Park, Monday’s no result meant that the local squad are the champions.
T&T claimed the title with a record of three victories with two no results, after their fifth and final round match against Barbados was a washout.
Barbados concluded their campaign with two wins, with their three other games ending in with no results in the heavily rain-affected tournament. The entire second round was washed out by rain.
On Monday, the Brendan Boodoo-captained T&T squad batted first and tallied a relatively substantial 159 all out in 46.4 overs.
Christian Lall top-scored with a 57-ball 46 and received solid support from skipper Boodoo, who made 30 off 57 balls, including four boundaries.
Darrius Batoosingh chipped in with a valuable 29 from 56 balls, counting four fours.
Zachary Carty was the main wicket-taker for the Bajans, bagging 4-20.
In their turn at the crease, Barbados were 28-1 off five overs when rain forced the players off the field. The match was eventually called off.
And at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, there was also a no result after Guyana batted first, compiling 171 from 40.5 overs against the Leeward Islands.
Openers Vikash Wilkinson (34) and Rampersaud Ramnauth (31) led the way for the Guyanese while Romario Ramdeholl contributed 23.
For the Leewards, Isra-el Morton was the main man with the ball with 3-44, while Jaheem Kevaughn Clarke and Micah McKenzie took 2-20 and 2-24, respectively.
In yesterday’s other scheduled fixture, between Jamaica and the Windward Islands, at Gilbert Park, in California, the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Shanto left speechless by historic Bangladesh series sweep
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was lost for words after they claimed a historic series victory over Pakistan on day five of the second Test.
They wrapped up the 2-0 series sweep, reaching the target of 185 runs on Tuesday, having bowled Pakistan out for 172 on day four, with Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana taking nine wickets between them.
At one point, it looked like victory was out of Bangladesh's reach, at least until Liton Das inspired a stunning comeback on day three with a stand on 138.
It is the first time that Bangladesh have ever recorded a series success over Pakistan, while it was just their third Test series win on foreign soil.
And Shanto was in disbelief when they finally clinched the victory.
"We can't express feelings with words, we are really happy," said Najmul.
"I think before we came here, we're looking to win, and the way everyone did their job made me really happy."
"Our bowlers were very impressive. I hope they will do the same against India as well, which will be a very challenging series."
Meanwhile, Pakistan are now on a run of 10 Tests without a win on home soil and have lost all five of their Tests with Shan Masood as their captain.
With this defeat following a 3-0 series whitewash at the hands of Australia earlier this year, Masood was left frustrated by the continued mistakes his team were making.
"We haven't learnt our lessons," he said.
"We could have bowled them, especially after 26-6 down here, but we let them back in the game.
"I think now it's time where we've realised that we were playing good cricket in Australia and not finishing games. That's something that we really need to work on.
"You always learn from your mistakes, and you try and give people a chance, and in this regard, we are in the right direction."
McCullum replaces Mott as England's white-ball head coach
Brendon McCullum has been announced as England's new men's white-ball head coach, and will combine that role with his existing Test duties.
McCullum, who has signed a three-year contract to perform the role, replaces Australian Matthew Mott, who stepped down after this year's T20 World Cup.
The 42-year-old will oversee the next 50-over World Cup in South Africa, while also guiding the Test squad all the way through to England's next home Ashes campaign.
The ECB have described the move as part of a strategic restructure for the senior side, with McCullum officially beginning his twin tenure in January 2025.
England's interim head coach Marcus Trescothick will continue in his role for the white-ball tour of the Caribbean in November, with McCullum's first assignment a tour of India before February's Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
McCullum will become the first England men's coach since his Test predecessor, Chris Silverwood, to oversee both the red and white-ball squads.
Since taking charge of a Test side that had won one of its previous 17 Tests, McCullum has instilled a fearless brand of cricket, which has seen England win 19 of their 28 Tests since.
Under the New Zealander, England's Test team scored 4.57 runs per over on average, compared to 3.09 in their 29 Tests previously.
Having overseen a dramatic turnaround for the Test team alongside captain Ben Stokes, McCullum says he is "energised" by the prospect of signing a new contract that increases the scope of his role.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Test team, and I’m excited to extend my role to include the white-ball sides," McCullum said.
"This challenge is something I’m ready to embrace, and I’m eager to work closely with Jos [Buttler] and the team to build on the strong foundations that are already in place.
“Rob Key’s vision for the future of English cricket is something that really resonated with me. The idea of a unified coaching structure, especially with the schedule easing next year, made perfect sense.
"I’m energised by the prospect of guiding both teams and am grateful for the support from the ECB and my family as I take on these added responsibilities.
“The talent within English cricket is immense, and I’m looking forward to helping these players reach their full potential.
"My goal is to create an environment where everyone can thrive and where we can continue to compete at the highest level across all formats.”
After the Test series ends against Sri Lanka at The Oval next week, McCullum will take a short break at home in New Zealand before joining the red-ball team for their winter tour of Pakistan in October and the three-match series against New Zealand.
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