Follow UsCricket Scotland confirmed on September 7 (Sunday) that head coach Doug Watson has been relieved of his duties of the men's national team. According to the statement, the decision was taken "following a review of recent results and subsequent planning around future fixtures and allocation of budget."
Watson was appointed interim head coach in March 2023 and was then appointed on a permanent basis the following year. He guided the team in the World Cup Qualifiers, where they beat three full members and also led them to the T20 World Cup 2024, where they defeated Oman and Namibia before narrowly missing out on a place in the Super 8s.
Scotland are currently top of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 points table, having accumulated 30 points from 24 matches. In their latest tri-series against Canada and Namibia, they have won two of their four matches, with the other matches not going ahead due to rain.
“While I’m disappointed to be moving on, I’ll take with me many fond memories of my time with the organisation. It has been a pleasure to work with this squad and coaching staff, and I’m proud to leave with the team top of the ICC CWCL2, qualifying table, but I am now looking forward to spending more time with my family," Watson said on his exit.
“I’m honoured to have worked with Cricket Scotland, and I will follow their future progress closely. I wish everyone involved every success moving forward.”
Scotland will appoint a new head coach ahead of their League 2 series in Namibia in March 2026, their next international assignment. They did not qualify for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.