Repeat of history unlikely Scots out to avoid humiliation by Australia Click here for more on this story Posted: Friday May 14, 1999 10:09 AM   To have a chance, Scotland needs James Brinkley to play well. Mark Thompson/Allsport WORCESTER, England (Reuters) -- Australia begins its quest for a second cricket World Cup title with the most gentle of tests on Sunday when it takes on the "Tartan Amateurs" of Scotland in front of 4,400 fans at Worcester. Only three of the Scotland squad are professional cricketers -- all in England -- and avoiding humiliation, rather than dreaming of an upset victory, will be their realistic target. Scotland was surprise qualifiers ahead of Ireland and is keen to put up a good show to support its campaign to be given one-day international status. But its best chance will come in the later games when they can more realistically hope to beat Bangladesh and perhaps hope to push New Zealand. The 500-1 tournament outsiders also face the West Indies and if some observers consider Brian Lara's islanders to be something of a one-man team, they should look to Scotland for a real example. Gavin Hamilton, an England international and named in the provisional English World Cup squad, has pledged his loyalty to the land of his birth -- at least for the next month. The Yorkshire all-rounder is in great form and scored an unbeaten 91 when the Scots narrowly lost a warm-up game against Durham last week. If they are to have any chance of success in the tournament then Hamilton has to be at his peak. "I'll be doing my best for Scotland but if I can let England know what I can do, you never know," said Hamilton, who hit a career-best 86 and took eight wickets against Gloucestershire in this season's opening county championship fixture and still harbours hopes of an England test call. He will expect strong support from James Brinkley and John Blain, the two other English county players in the squad, while captain George Salmond, who has an unbeaten 64 against West Indies to his name, will relish the challenge. Australia's only problem could be motivation after another grueling year of virtual non-stop cricket. The Australians could be excused for treating the game as just another warm-up. However, that is unlikely for a team famed for its single-minded approach and it would be as happy to skittle the Scots and quickly knock off a small total as it would be batting first for some practice. After losing the 1996 final to Sri Lanka the Australian selectors followed its conquerors' lead and moved towards a specialist one-day team. That opened the door for wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who as a fast-scoring opener ensures a sharp start, and brilliant one-day batsmen and fielders Michael Bevan and Ricky Ponting. But there is still room for paceman Glenn McGrath and leg-spinner Shane Warne, two of the most devastating bowlers in the test arena. Because of his prodigious wicket-taking, Warne's ability as a one-day bowler is often overlooked. But he can be miserly when he wants and was Australia's leading bowler in the recent one-day series against West Indies when he took 13 wickets at an average of 19. Captain Steve Waugh, a famed competitor, also wants to build his own reputation as skipper after Alan Border lifted the trophy in 1987 and Mark Taylor reached the final in 1996. Australia is not the world leaders of the game it was during Border's reign but there is enough talent, and more than enough attitude to make them one of the tournament favorites. Although Australia will treat Scotland with professional respect, it should sweep them aside and start preparing for its next game, against New Zealand on May 20 But while Scotland has won just three of its 86 NatWest and Benson and Hedges Cup games in England, they can boast a famous victory over Australia when it scored 167 and bowled the Aussie's out for just 122 in its first ever one-day game. The only trouble is that Scotland's victory took place 117 years ago. Australia Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Steve Waugh (captain), Michael Bevan, Shane Lee, Shane Warne, Damien Fleming, Adam Dale, Glenn McGrath. Scotland Bruce Patterson, Iain Philip, Mike Allingham, George Salmond (captain), Gavin Hamilton, Greig Williamson, James Brinkley, Alec Davies, John Blain, Keith Sheridan, Asim Butt.   Related information Stories CNN/SI Australia Team Page CNN/SI Scotland Team Page Australians leave nothing to chance Daunting task for 'Tartan Amateurs' Stats CNN/SI Gavin Hamilton Player Page Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

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