Scotland seamer Rachel Slater believes her aspect’s historic T20 World Cup qualification is simply “scratching the floor” of what the nation may obtain.
Scotland completed runner-up ultimately week’s qualifier in Abu Dhabi to succeed in their first ever ICC international occasion, defeating Eire in a head-to-head semi-final with all the things on the road.
Captain Kathryn Bryce was named participant of the match, whereas Slater completed as prime wicket-taker with 11 scalps.
Whereas sealing a spot in Bangladesh later this 12 months is a seismic occasion for ladies’s cricket in Scotland, 22-year-old Slater insists much more is feasible because the early steps into professionalism proceed.
“Each considered one of us knew this was potential. We all know we’re adequate, so it was nearly going out and doing it in opposition to Eire in what was most likely the largest strain recreation of our lives,” she informed the PA information company.
“The larger image is loopy as a result of taking part in at a World Cup and being the primary Scottish girls’s staff to do it, is what you dream about. As an affiliate nation we’ve to be real looking, however we’ve achieved this on restricted funding and that’s testomony to the gamers and workers we’ve.
“We attempt to be the most effective we may be however I feel we’re simply scratching the floor of what we will do. We’ve seen in England what giving ladies entry to full-time skilled cricket can do. Hopefully that may come and that is one thing that may kickstart the method – extra ladies entering into cricket, extra sources, extra alternatives, extra girls’s golf equipment.
“I’m primarily based in England and I noticed the influence that profitable the 2017 World Cup had, for us getting right into a 10-team World Cup may be simply as large.”
Slater was born in New York to a Scottish mom and lives in Yorkshire, the place she performs for Northern Diamonds.
Regardless of being courted by america nationwide aspect she made her Scotland debut in January 2022, at which level she bought so as to add her title to the Saltire flag which follows the staff all over the place and bears the signature of each participant who has worn the shirt.
It was with the squad within the United Arab Emirates, serving as each a reminder and an inspiration.
“Everybody who has ever been capped has signed that flag and it hangs in our altering room. Each title and cap quantity is on there and is a part of this journey,” mentioned Slater.
“What we achieved wouldn’t have been potential with out those that got here earlier than and fought for ladies’s cricket. It’s years and years of exhausting work and I really feel so privileged to assist get this aspect to a World Cup. It might need taken some time however we’re going to go on the market, compete and present the world what Scotland can do.”
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