SCOTLAND cricket superstar Calum MacLeod was banned from speaking in Gaelic during a match.
The umpire ordered him to button it because it was unfair and rude to other players – team-mates and the opposition.
MacLeod blasted a stunning unbeaten 140 in Edinburgh to spur the Scots to history-making glory against England yesterday.
Tomorrow he is aiming to keep up the momentum when Scotland square up to Pakistan in the first of two T20 clashes at the same venue.
MacLeod and sibling Allan – both fluent in Gaelic – were appearing for Coatbridge-based club Drumpellier in a junior league match when the language curb was imposed.
His brother, now a broadcaster with BBC Alba, said: “It was hilarious.
“I was keeping wicket and Calum was bowling – so using the Gaelic was useful to discuss tactics between deliveries.
“But this particular umpire took exception and told us to speak English."
MacLeod had also made history in 2009 when he became the first Gaelic speaker to appear in a Test match – for England.
He was attached to Warwickshire in at the time and was called up as substitute fielder in the Ashes tussle with Australia at Edgbaston.
His appearance created a stir among the home fans, who started to chant “are you Scotland in disguise".
As he prepared for the Pakistan challenge, it was revealed that MacLeod and Scots coach Grant Bradburn had been snapped up by Derbyshire for their T20 Vitality Blast campaign.
Bradbury will provide support for specialist white-ball coaches John Wright and Dominic Cork.
Derbyshire supremo Kim Barnett said: “We’re delighted to be working with Cricket Scotland and to have Calum and Grant on board – along with another top Scots player Safyaan Sharif.
“Calum is a powerful striker and showed against England what he can do on the big stage.
“He offers further depth to our squad, alongside Safyaan, for what is a busy month of cricket.”
Bradburn added: “It’s an exciting partnership between Cricket Scotland and Derbyshire."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel