Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day! What could be more romantic than England and Scotland, that historic pair of former partners, unexpectedly encountering each other in a World Cup? Well, one scenario that would be even more romantic is if they were to meet in Kolkata on the very same day that they are also scheduled to compete in the Calcutta Cup. And remarkably, this is exactly what is happening. The improbability of this coincidence makes it feel like the plot of a romantic comedy already.
Cricket Rivalry Intensifies
For Scotland's cricketers, who only received their invitation to this tournament at the last minute, there is, as always, a burning desire to defeat the Sassenachs. For the England team, as in all aspects of life at all times, there is a burning desire to avoid embarrassment.
Group Standings and Performance
Harry Brook and his teammates may feel a little red in the face just by looking at the standings for their group. England are currently fourth out of five teams, while Scotland are in second place, trailing only behind the West Indies. Both teams have accumulated two points each, with one win and one defeat apiece. However, Scotland's victory was a thumping win over Italy, whereas England's was a narrow squeak against Nepal.
The consequence of these results is that Scotland's net run rate is vastly superior to that of the so-called professionals from south of the border. For England, this game is beginning to resemble a banana skin, when it should have been as straightforward as a deep-fried Mars bar.
Match Details and Forecast
Play is set to commence at 3pm in Kolkata, which translates to 9.30am in England and, by coincidence, Scotland as well. The toss is scheduled for 9am GMT and seems unlikely to be delayed, as the forecast predicts a hot, sunny day with a 0% chance of rain. Does anyone know the Hindi phrase for "hostage to fortune"?
