Matt Cross and his Scottish team-mates enjoyed a morale-boosting victory over Ireland in their ICC World Cup warm-up match at the Olympic Park in Sydney.
Scotland posted an imposing 296-7 from their 50 over allocation before bowling out the Irish for only 117 to complete a 179-run trouncing.
Former academy prospect Cross had earlier continued the sequence of Nottinghamshire batsmen who had remained undefeated on international duty this week when he ended the Scotland innings with an unbeaten 12 to his name.
Both James Taylor and Vernon Philander had been at the crease to score the winning runs in Monday’s warm-ups for England and South Africa respectively.
After turning in a succession of fine performances for Nottinghamshire’s seconds, Cross is understandably looking forward to playing in his first World Cup and again impressed behind the stumps.
A faultless display with the gloves was capped by two fine catches to see off both of the O’Brien brothers, Leicestershire’s Niall and the former Notts Outlaws player Kevin.
The Scottish innings was anchored by a century from Sussex’s Matt Machan. His 103 came from 108 balls, with 6 fours and 4 sixes.
Ireland began at a pace in pursuit of 297, with William Porterfield and Paul Stirling sharing an opening stand of 57.
The introduction of Alasdair Evans changed the course of the match, however, as he removed Stirling and followed it up by dismissing the experienced duo of Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien. When he then saw off Porterfield he had figures of 3-1-7-4, not bad for someone who had only taken 5 wickets in the 8 official ODIs he has appeared in.
When Andy Balbirnie fell to Iain Wardlaw, Ireland had lost 5 wickets for only 20 runs in just 4.4 overs.
Surrey’s Gary Wilson was next to go, leaving Kevin O’Brien as the main obstacle confronting the Scots.
They needn’t have worried. O’Brien, who represented the Outlaws in 2009, had a day he’d rather forget. His two overs with the ball had leaked 20 runs and he only made 7 before edging Josh Davey behind to Cross.
Majid Haq also impressed with the ball, taking 3-9 as Ireland were humbled in only 27 overs.
Scotland will play West Indies at the SCG on Thursday in their final warm-up match, whilst Ireland come up against Bangladesh on the same day.
The other warm-up match on Tuesday saw India return to winning ways, albeit against Afghanistan.
After losing the recent Test series to Australia, then failing then to make the final of the one-day tri-series involving England, Indian supporters have been desperate to see a return to top form.
Heavily defeated by Australia again, in their first warm-up match, they posted 364-5 against the Afghans.
Opener Rohit Sharma led the charge, hitting 150 runs from 122 deliveries, an innings that included 12 fours and 7 mighty sixes.
Despite failures for Dhawan and Kohli the middle order duo of Suresh Raina and Ajinkya Rahane kept Sharma company in punishing stands.
Raina made 75 and Rahane was unbeaten on 88 as the Indians posted an impressive tally.
Afghanistan were never really in contention but their top order spent some useful time in the middle as they mustered 211-8, losing by 153 runs.
Nawroz Mangal made 60, twice clearing the ropes, and Usman Ghani scored 44 before being dismissed in sensational fashion.
Ghani hoisted Ravindra Jadeja out towards midwicket. Shikhar Dhawan made a brilliant full-length diving take but, fearing the ball made bobble out as he hit the earth he managed to flick the ball up and into the hands of team-mate Umesh Yadav.
India’s preparations are now complete as they look forward to beginning the defence of their crown on Sunday, when they face fierce rivals Pakistan in Adelaide.
There are four more warm-up matches being played on Wednesday, with New Zealand hosting South Africa, Sri Lanka play Zimbabwe, Australia face UAE and England meet Pakistan in Sydney.
Trent Bridge hosts the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 June. Don't miss the chance to take in what promises to be an absorbing contest and secure your seat now.