FORMER Scotland cricket star Bruce Patterson expects his countrymen to bounce back from their opening World Cup defeat and insists they should take heart from their performance against New Zealand.

Preston Mommsen's side were staring at disaster after slumping to 12-4 at Dunedin on Tuesday.

They recovered to post 142 before losing by three wickets, and Patterson says the Black Caps' new-ball attack in helpful conditions would have been too good for most sides in the world.

Patterson, who famously stroked the first ball ever faced by Scotland in a World Cup for four, said: "The Kiwi bowlers' opening spell on that wicket would have demolished most top orders in world cricket.

"A left-armer (Trent Boult) bowling at 140km with the ball moving in the air and off the wicket can be too hot for any batsman.

"The secret to playing swing is staying as still as possible until the very last second which allows the ball to move in the air before you commit to the stroke - easy in theory, but very tough under pressure."

Matt Machan and Richie Berrington both scored half-centuries - the first time two Scots have reached the landmark in the same World Cup innings - as Scotland showed real guts to make a game of it.

Now Patterson believes Mommsen's men should look forward with confidence to Sunday's showdown with England in Christchurch.

He added: "I thought the fightback was superb in bowler friendly conditions and, having spoken to

some insiders in the Kiwi camp, they expect the Scots lads to cause a major upset.

"It would be brilliant if that was against England."

Patterson, who made 124 appearances and played in the 1999 World Cup, is still Scotland's fourth leading scorer of all time with 4,040 runs at an average of 31.

Meanwhile, the Scots arrived in Christchurch last night and will begin their preparations tomorrow for the match against Eoin Morgan's side.