England's David Willey looks dejected after being dismissed as Scotland players celebrate. (Reuters)
Edinburgh: Scotland's momentous victory over England came in their very first match since they were denied a place at next year's World Cup barely three months ago.
A combination of a controversial umpiring decision -- with no review system in place -- and rain saw them just miss out in the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe.
The International Cricket Council had already angered Scotland and many of their fellow non-Test nations by cutting the number of teams at next year's World Cup from 14 to 10.
Former Durham and Warwickshire batsman MacLeod said Scotland's first international cricket win over England was a "massive statement".
He added: "It does not take away what happened in Zimbabwe and everyone's feelings about the 10-team World Cup but this was a special day.
"We want more games. That is the bigger shop window rather than personal side of it.
"If the ICC and other international teams look at this game they will see we are not an add on. This should be a catalyst for more games."
Fast bowler Safyan Sharif too echoed MacLeod's sentiment and said that the victory will help the team recover after the World Cup qualifier heartbreak in Zimababwe.
"Definitely it does, It was just an incredible effort from the lads, they've just proven once again that they are capable of playing at this standard, and they did really well throughout the innings. Up top, it was tough in the second half but we managed to pull things back and did the job, so really... I'm lost for words, I don't know what to say." he said, while speaking to Sky Sports.
Sharif added that he backed his ability to deliver under pressure, "I've been working hard on [reverse swing] towards the end of an innings and we managed to get that wicket there. It's unbelievable. I just knew if I bowl the right line and hit my yorker, it's going to tail [in], and luckily once again I managed to hit that yorker and got that wicket, which was an absolutely great feeling to get over the line," he said.
"It means a lot to the crowd and a lot to us. We've been waiting so long for this victory and we managed to do that today with the positive attitude that the lads brought into the game, so well done." he added.
Skipper Kyle Coetzer said that he was 'proud' by the way his team played and that he always backed his bowlers too deliver.
"I am extremely proud first of all, but bowling is a trait we are starting to get very, very good at," he said.
"With ball in hand, we've been very good over the last few years, and especially coming off the back of Zimbabwe, this being our first game of the year, it's been an outstanding performance. Look, 371 played 365, it's an outstanding game, bowlers found it hard on a flat wicket with small boundaries, but it's great to be this side of the fence."
GET APP
Live TV