The road to the World Cup starts now
Hi, I'm Paul Hoffmann, a member of the Scotland cricket team.
Most of you will probably be following the Ashes series in Australia, but there is other cricket going on in the world and for us preparations for next year's World Cup are about to reach a new level.
We're in Bangladesh for two one-day internationals, the first in Chittagong on Friday and the second two days later in Dhaka.
I've been playing for Scotland now for over five years and have 96 caps to my name, but I'm originally from Rockhampton in Queensland, Australia's beef capital and the home of tennis legend Rod Laver.
I moved to Scotland in April 1997 and have settled in Uddingston, around 10 miles east of Glasgow and the contrast with Bangladesh couldn't be greater. Being here is an experience I'll never forget.
To be mobbed by the press on arrival at the airport was something out of the ordinary - for the Scotland team anyway - and it happens every time we leave the hotel.
I can only think that they have mistaken us for, dare I say it, England, especially as one local paper said "Bangladesh beat this English side in the 99 World Cup". We're planning to let them know exactly who we are when we get out on the field.
All I know about the Bangladesh team is that they've improved a hell of a lot over the last years and they'll be tough to beat on their home turf.
This tour is the first part of our busy lead-up to the World Cup in the Caribbean next March, when we will take on Australia, South Africa and Holland.
After Bangladesh, we have a four-day game against the United Arab Emirates in Sharjah lined up before heading to Kenya for the ICC's new World Cricket League. The top two in that tournament will qualify for the first Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa next September.
These are exciting times for Scottish cricket. I'll let you know how we got on in Bangladesh next week.
I'm sorry, you are?
Complain about this postWas there really any need to post a disrespectful comment like that?
Good luck to you and the team in Bangladesh Paul.
Complain about this postYou would have thought "Hi, I'm Paul Hoffmann, a member of the Scotland cricket team" in the first paragraph would have given it away.
Very little mention of the Ashes from an Aussie-born cricketer, Paul. Who are you supporting and, more intriguingly, who are the Scottish-born players shouting for?
Complain about this postGood on you Paul. Dont worry about the comments from the two peanuts at blogs 1 & 2. The history of world cricket is littered with successful players from Scotland and their descendants. Former England captain Mike Denness was born in Bellshill (as you would know) and if memory serves, Tony Greigs people were Scots. Even a quick count of first class cricketers with the Mc or Mac prefix to their names is interesting. Not sure if a Hoffman from Rockhampton immediately jumps off the page as being Scottish but there must be a bit of Jock in there somewhere! Good luck on the tour....
ps has your management thought of doing an England and slipping a few foreign descendants into the team? Stuart MacGill is keen for a game and would bowl quite well in Bangladesh I fancy.
Complain about this postYes, well I'm kind of from the school of thought of numbers one and two. Here we are chatting about the next competition, being the world cup. The angle: warm up games between scotland and bangladesh. It's rather like an insucure member of the office say 'look at me, look what I've got' during a major breaking news story. You kind of feel 'shut up', do you not realise what's going on here?'
Complain about this postHey, when it's the World Cup, we're all ears. Just wait until the big boys' stuff is all over ay.
yea right i never have heard of who you are and to even consider scotland beating bangladesh that will be as big of a shock as when we beat the ozzies, it will be hilarious if scotland can beat bangladesh, i think stick to rugby and haggis
Complain about this postThe bbc desperatly needs a chat room...so that when its !:55 am and were all waiting for that first ball of the cruical test wwe can sit and banter with others who are stupid enough to stay awke in some anticipation and excpectation we might actually win this,
Complain about this postHey, it's great to see something in BBC Cricket not related to the Ashes, as exciting as it is, some of the between-Test dribble can get a bit monotonous.
Good luck to you and your team in Bangladesh. I agree it will be a hard slog ecspecially over there, and Bangladesh have certainly improved considerably over the last few years. One only needs to mention their win over Australia last year to see what ability the side has in it's ranks.
It's awesome to hear you guys will be at the World Cup as well. I must admit when I read "we will take on Australia, South Africa and Holland", my first thoughts were 'ouch', 'ouch' and 'ok' respectively, however it should be an awesome experience for you guys, and being an Aussie I'll be watching your match-up with them intently.
P.S. - However, if your team plays brilliantly (which I hope you do), but subsequently manage to knock Australia out of the tournament... I'm coming after you! :D cya
Complain about this postDon't worry mate, as soon as you start to play they will realise you are way better than England!
Complain about this postMonty was great, but Harmison is BACK!
Complain about this postGood luck in Bangladesh Paul. Having experienced players like Gavin Hamilton and Dougie Brown must be priceless. Scotland have played alot of one day cricket in England over the last couple of years. I think Scotland will be better opposition then Zimbabwe for the improving Bangladesh. A great way for the side to develop.
Complain about this postthey will find it hard against bangladesh because they have imprved alot
Complain about this postThanks for that, Hoffy,
Complain about this postBest of luck in Bangladesh. I know you won't let us down. You always give 100% with the Saltire on your chest.
These are great times for Scottish cricket and you're on the front line. All Scottish cricket fans are right behind you and grateful for your efforts in the promotion of Scottish cricket.
It would be a shock if you beat Bangladesh (especially in Bangladesh) but lets give them a fright at least.
And do get down to Cox's Bazaar - the longest beach on the planet!!
Hi Paul, can I call you cane toad ( is that not what Queenslanders are called) Anyway good luck to you and the rest of the Saltires in your pre world cup warm up matches.
Ignore all the comments that are derogatory to you and Scotland, some people have such closed minds.
Are you managing to catch the Ashes whilst on tour, who are you barracking for ?
catch you next week when you let us know how you got on.
Complain about this postBizarre - as a long-time English resident in Scotland I'm quite used to the Scots obsessively and ostentatiously supporting every team under the sun which plays England - except when it's cricket.
In my experience there is pretty well universal and apparently genuine support and sympathy.
My theory is that the Scots identify with heroic losing causes, snatching defeat from jaws of victory on countless occasions and much fun and frolics abroad. The only difference is we go to the Windies and Oz and they seem to go to chilly bits of Eastern Europe - other than that the parallels are spooky!
Good luck in Bangladesh, Paul - bit of revenge for last time!
Complain about this postHi Paul!
Great to hear from someone playin at the highest level. Shame about the result against Bangladesh - hope you can turn it around in the second game.
I saw you play in the summer and thought you had a great technique. Suppose it helps when you have such a strong physique!
Would be interested to know any tips you may have when playing against Monty?
Keep up the good work!
Vern
Complain about this postHi Paul,
I'm a Bangladesh fan, and first off, I apologise for the disrespect shown by 'Begal Tiger' (he can't even spell Bengal - that's disturbing).
I see you people have lost the second ODI but don't let that get you down. We Bengalis have had plenty of nightmares in the past few years, including losing to Canada, Northern Ireland(!) and, in a couple of unofficial one-dayers, you Scots! We'd be arrogant to assume that we won't face a few more howlers in the years to come.
Anyway, I don't think you guys performed to your full potential in Bangladesh, I think the unfamiliar conditions would have been a problem and because it was such a short tour, you didn't have time to get used to it.
Thanks for playing us - we've been struggling to get international games lately, the big boys are freezing us out - so we appreciate you coming along.
Your team WILL improve and next time it meets Bangladesh you'll probably give a much better account of yourselves.
Regards,
Complain about this postMiran
Bengal Tiger, flamer hush your mouth.
Bangladesh took its time to improve, I am Bangladeshi - things just don't happen overnight. Before we actually got into cricket soccer was a popular game - things changed - facilities were built and the performances gave the results, Tigers today have a stronger team.
You guys are doing a great job promoting the game , keep up the good work - one day your efforts should be realized. If you think about it, getting an international recognition itself is an achievement, you guys have earned it. Keep up the good work and hopefully one day you will too have a stronger side - these mere results are here today - they will be forgotten tomorrow.
Wishing you guys the best.
Complain about this postAt lunch, do you have deep-fried cucumber sandwiches and Irn Bru?
Just interested....
Complain about this postUnlucky boys! Ignore some of the rubbish, insular tripe posted here, but good to see Bangladesh and Australia getting behind the Saltires. It's also good to see some perspective from Bangladesh fans. They are testament to the long road from International cricket to Test cricket.
This was always going to be a learning experience for Scotland and it should stand them in good stead for the World Cup.
As for Bangladesh, to have the top wicket taker this year come from the country is a great acheivement (and as the saying goes - you can only play who they put in front of you). I think this is a side on the up which is evidenced by their showing at the last two U-19 World Cups.
Best of luck to both in the Windies.
Complain about this postGood luck Paul. hope you win and have a great time with the Rockhamptonites in the west indies.
Complain about this postactually i do know who you are! i'm from rockhampton also and think it's great that you have made it so far with your cricketing career. good on you!
Complain about this post