History-making bowler Jason Banks does not yet see himself as being among the greats of the sport.
The 29-year-old Scot became the first player to win the World Indoor singles, men’s pairs and mixed pairs trophies at the same championships early this year.
Now he is hoping to help Scotland to glory at the inaugural World Cup, which starts in Malaysia on Tuesday.
During the event, seven Scots – Darren Burnett, Richard Corsie, Paul Foster, Margaret Letham, Alex Marshall, Lorna Smith and Willie Wood – will be among the first athletes inducted into the World Bowls Hall of Fame.
“I still don’t see myself in that sort of bracket at the moment, because they have achieved so much over such a long period in so many different events, so I am not quite there just now,” Banks told BBC Scotland.
“It will be special to be there and see it because it is quite an incredible list of names, so that will be another thing to look forward to as part of the trip.
“Over the years, we have had some fantastic legends of bowls. It would be good if Scotland can continue on their legacy and keep it going at events like this one in Malaysia and next year in the Commonwealth Games. That will be the aim.”
Banks and five-time world champion Foster are part of the six-strong Scotland team who will be battling it out with 11 other nations in Kuala Lumpur.
Each team consists of six players who will compete across seven events – men’s singles and pairs; women’s singles and pairs; and Para men and women’s singles and mixed pairs.
With his dream year nearing its end, Aberdeenshire native Banks admits he has had to get used to being in the spotlight – and the added expectation that comes with being world number one.
“I get more people speaking to me now in the bowling world and even outwith bowls people are recognising me, which is quite strange, but I think just over time I am getting a bit more used to it,” he said.
“Now they are expecting big things of me, which is a bigger pressure for sure.”
The bulk of the countries competing in Malaysia are Commonwealth members.
With the World Cup being played entirely indoors, it is being viewed as ideal preparation for next summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which has switched the event from its normal outdoors.
“It is one of the big things before the Commonwealth Games next year and is in the same format as they are proposing to use in the Commonwealth Games, so I think a lot of these countries will be using this as a basis for selections,” Banks added.
“It would be amazing if I could get into playing and compete in the Commonwealth Games, but it is so hard with all the great players we have in Scotland.”
