The circle of life and the road to Scotland: Tom Bruce's inspiring journey
Tom Bruce's connection with India runs deep, having visited the country multiple times with the New Zealand cricket team. But it's his personal journey, starting in 2013, that truly sets the stage for an incredible story.
A Late Bloomer's Passion Ignited
Bruce, now 34, recalls his late start in professional cricket. He began at 23, and it was a trip to India with his local coach, Debu Banik, that ignited his passion. Training at the Jain Academy in Bengaluru with fellow Kiwis, including Will Young, for three weeks, Bruce's cricketing journey began to take shape. He admits to enjoying more off the field during his university years, but this trip to India changed everything.
"I didn't have a great record playing club cricket in Christchurch. It was only when I went to India with my coach and a few other cricketers that my passion for cricket truly ignited. It made me want to give cricket a real go," he shares.
A Scottish Heritage and International Dreams
Bruce's Scottish roots, through his father, played a role in his international aspirations. Conversations with Grant Bradburn, the then-Scotland head coach, began, but a stand-down period delayed his plans. However, fate intervened, and a New Zealand cap came his way in 2017, thanks to his reputation as a match-winner in T20 cricket.
He played 17 T20Is for the Black Caps, but admits to not doing justice to his talent during those years. "I was trying to be someone I wasn't. Since 2020, I've played much better cricket. I've improved with age and experience. I wasn't quick enough to adapt and learn on the international stage back then, but it's only made me better," he reflects.
A Second Chance and Dual International Status
In 2025, Bruce earned a second shot at international cricket, becoming one of the game's dual internationals. Conversations with coach Doug Watson led to a potential switch in allegiance to play for Scotland. With an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup and the 2028 T20 World Cup, Bruce saw a unique opportunity.
"We looked at it as three World Cups in three years. It's been a nice change of allegiances. Getting a last-minute call-up was special. I've been chatting with the new coach, Owen Dawkins, about the future, and I hope to play as much cricket as I can for Scotland," he says.
A Journey Back to India
And so, here he is, a Scotland international at the T20 World Cup in India. But his story began a generation ago, with his father's Scottish roots.
A Scottish Heritage and a Farm in New Zealand
Tom's father, one of four brothers, spent the first five years of his life on a farm near Edinburgh. The family then embarked on a six-week voyage to start a new life on a small dairy farm in Eltham, New Zealand. Bruce's Scottish heritage was always a part of his life, and he experienced it firsthand when he first considered representing Scotland.
"Growing up, the Bruce clan would get together, and their Scottish accents would come out. In 2016, when I was playing club cricket in the UK, close to Scotland, I visited the farm where my dad and his brothers grew up. My grandma showed us around, and it was emotional for her to relive those times. It meant a lot to be there with her," he recalls.
A Last-Minute Call-Up and a Dream Come True
Bruce's journey to India this month has been a rollercoaster. He played ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 fixtures for Scotland last year, but with Scotland's failure to qualify for the T20 World Cup, his dream seemed distant. However, tensions between the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the ICC over playing in India opened a door for Scotland.
As the highest-ranked team that didn't make the cut, Scotland became the ultimate beneficiaries. Bruce, gearing up to lead the Central Stags in a Super Smash game, received the news of his World Cup call-up.
"My phone had gone flat overnight. Ajaz Patel and Brett Randall shook my hand and said, 'Congratulations, you're going to the World Cup.' I thought they were joking! But then I realized Scotland was going, and I had 200 WhatsApp messages from the Cricket Scotland group. It was a busy few days, but exciting," he remembers.
A Balancing Act and a Learning Curve
Bruce, a father to a daughter and a son, aged five and one, understands the challenges of managing a young family while pursuing his cricketing dreams. He calls his wife, Felicity, "very forgiving" of his travel.
"My daughter now says she doesn't want me to go to cricket. It's tough, but I know it's not forever. Once cricket is done, I'll be home for good. It's a balance, and you try your best," he says.
A Potential Face-Off and a Special Moment
As Bruce enters a new phase in his career, he's eager to tick off a few boxes, including a potential face-off against his old mates from the Black Caps. If Scotland qualifies for the Super Eights at England's expense, it will be a special moment.
"I've played against a lot of those boys. There's still a long way to go, with big games first, including England. We'll give it our all," he promises.
Whatever the outcome, Bruce will have a tale to tell, much like his grandmother took him back in time.
