An outstanding performance from University of Stirling sports scholar and soon-to-be graduate Brandon McMullen has led Scotland to the latter stages of the Cricket World Cup qualifiers.
In the week that McMullen graduates from the University, the South Africa-born all-rounder scored the highest run total of the tournament to send Scotland to the Super Six stage of the qualifiers. The 23-year-old made 136 and took decisive wickets to give Scotland a 76-run win over Oman on Sunday.
Speaking after the victory, which saw Scotland score 320 all out, McMullen – the player of the match – told Sky Sports: "It was a great day and a great way to finish.
“Our bowlers were clinical and [Chris Greaves] finished it off incredibly well.
“I just tried to keep it as simple as possible and do it my way. I played my own game. I can't give you those secrets yet.”
Head of Performance Sport, University of Stirling
We are incredibly proud to have supported Brandon through our scholarship programme over the past four years, and will eagerly be keeping an eye on his progress as his career undoubtedly goes from strength to strength in the years to come.
Supported by the AM Ross Family Foundation, Mullen joined the University's sports scholarship programme in 2019, combining his professional sporting ambitions with a BA (Hons) Sports Studies. Through the University's sector-leading sports scholarship programme, McMullen receives strength and conditioning support, academic flexibility, and access to world-class sports facilities.
After four successful years both on and off the pitch, McMullen will graduate from Stirling – Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence – this week. However, his degree will be awarded in absentia due to his ongoing cricketing commitments; Scotland complete their Group B fixtures against Sri Lanka tomorrow [Tuesday].
McMullen has risen to prominence over the past 12 months after eye-catching performances with Stirling County and Western Warriors saw him elevated to the Scotland A squad – and then the full team – on grounds of residency. Last year, he made his senior international debut in the World Cricket League 2 series in Namibia, and was in Scotland's T20 World Cup squad.
During his time at Stirling, alongside his professional commitments, McMullen also played for the University cricket team – helping them gain promotion to the British Universities and Colleges Sport Premier Division in 2021/22.
Momentous
David Bond, Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, said: “This is a momentous week for Brandon; not only has he put in a heroic performance for Scotland in the World Cup qualifiers, but he will also celebrate his graduation from the University.
“We are incredibly proud to have supported Brandon through our scholarship programme over the past four years, and will eagerly be keeping an eye on his progress as his career undoubtedly goes from strength to strength in the years to come.
“Everyone at the University wishes Brandon well on both his cricketing and academic success.”