Points shared in ICC World Cricket League Championship matches in battle for Cricket World Cup Qualifier
- Six teams can still qualify after Netherlands, PNG, Scotland and Kenya earn two points in ICC World Cricket League Championship penultimate round matches
- Hong Kong and Nepal to play two 50-over round six matches on October 13 and 15
- Scotland and PNG draw round six ICC Intercontinental Cup
With one round to go in the ICC World Cricket League Championship, the four qualification spots for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier (CWCQ) 2018 are still up for grabs after leader Netherlands failed to secure all four points against Kenya.
There was also no change in the top three positions in the World Cricket League Championship standings after PNG (16 points) and Scotland (15 points) second and third respectively, won one match apiece in their penultimate round fixture. The only mover was Kenya (12 points) who are now fourth and final CWCQ qualification spot, one point ahead of Hong Kong who have played two games less.
Netherlands, who are on 18 points defeated Kenya by six wickets in the first of the two 50-over round six matches of the ICC World Cricket League Championship, before Kenya recovered to win the second match by two wickets, keeping the African side in contention for a ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier spot.
A 129-run stand between Peter Borren (86 not out) and Michael Rippon (56 not out) led the Netherlands to an easy six-wicket victory in the first match. Kenya batting first were restricted to 226 for seven wickets with Collins Obuya (72) and Dhiren Gondaria (53) putting on the runs. The Dutch achieved victory in the 49th over.
In the second match, Collins Obuya (56 not out) led Kenya to a two-wicket victory, overcoming a late fight back from Peter Borren with the ball. Dhiren Gondaria’s innings of 69 was imperative to chase down the winning runs, after the Netherlands had been restricted to 224 for nine wickets.
Netherlands captain Peter Borren said:
“We are unhappy not to have won both games against Kenya. Our goal was to get the four points and to leave with just two is a disappointment. We did not adjust well enough technically or tactically to the conditions, and as captain, I have to take responsibility for that. We know we need two wins against Namibia in round seven to secure a place in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier and we will not be leaving any stone unturned in our quest to do so.”
Kenya captain Rakep Patel said:
“We would have liked to win both matches, but the main positives are the bowling attack performing well in both games. The batting form of Dhiren Gondaria and Collins Obuya was very pleasing. We will focus on our round seven fixtures by preparing to our utmost best. The main aspect we need to work on is consistency.”
Scotland and PNG also shared the spoils in Port Moresby. Scotland’s convincing 101-run victory in the first match, was responded well by PNG who secured a five-wicket victory in the second.
An outstanding 154 by Calum MacLeod was the highlight of the first ODI. MacLeod struck 15 fours and three sixes as Scotland made 278 for nine. In turn, Tony Ura’s 42 was the only contributor of note for PNG as the home side were bowled out for 177 runs, as Alasdair Evans (2-30), Stuart Whittingham (2-37) and Michael Leask (2-26) shared wickets.
PNG responded in style in the second ODI as Mahuru Dai led the way with 63 from 54 balls as the host achieved the 204-run target with two overs to spare. Nosaina Pokana had put in a fine bowling performance taking four for 26 in three overs as Scotland made 203 all out. Matt Cross made a solid 91 runs, but it was not enough, as PNG chased down the total to secure two points.
Meanwhile, in the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup, Scotland has remained winless after its match against PNG ended in a draw. In two high scoring first innings, PNG scored 404 all out with Norman Vanua (64) and Chad Soper (60) scoring the runs. In reply, Scotland’s Richie Berrington made 129, as Scotland totaled 514 all out. The match ended in a draw with PNG 236 for three in their second innings.
Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer said:
“We experienced some challenging conditions and some strong opposition in PNG. All the games were very hard fought with some stand out performances from Richie Berrington and Calum Macleod. We played some good cricket but, unfortunately, we were unable to win the second match, which would have resulted in securing the extra points. There are no easy games in international cricket and there is always a lot at stake in Associate cricket. This will be very apparent with the massive importance on the final round to get the results we need.”
PNG Captain Assad Vala said:
“I was very happy with the performance of the team in both the I-Cup and WCLC. Our bowlers were exceptional on those wickets which favoured the batters. Our fielding energy was brilliant on trying conditions in both formats. The batsmen did not get those starts into big scores, but overall I'm pleased with our performance against a quality team.”
Hong Kong host Nepal in the final round six matches of the ICC World Cricket League Championship matches on October 13 and 15. Afghanistan will travel to Hong Kong for their sixth and penultimate round match in the ICC Intercontinental Cup that begins on October 20. Afghanistan trails front-runner Ireland by eight points, while Hong Kong is seventh on 39 points, eight points ahead of Namibia.
ICC World Cricket League Championship:
PNG v Scotland
6 October
Scotland won by 101 runs
Scotland 278-9 in 50 overs (Calum Macleod 154, Richie Berrington 54; Alei Nao 3-57)
PNG 177 all out in 43.3 overs (Tony Ura 42, Dogodo Bau 29; Michael Leask 2-26)
PNG v Scotland
8 October
PNG won by 5 wickets
Scotland 203 all out in 49.2 overs (Matt Cross 91, Kyle Coetzer 22; Mahuru Dai 2-19)
PNG 204-5 in 48 overs (Mahuru Dai 63 not out, Assad Vala 49; Alasdair Evans 2-42)
Kenya v Netherlands
6 October
Netherlands won by 6 wickets
Kenya 226-7 in 50 overs (Collins Obuya 72, Dhiren Gondaria 53; Michael Rippon 3-30)
Netherlands 227-4 in 48.5 overs (Peter Borren 86 not out, Michael Rippon 56 not out; Shem Ngoche 2-47)
Kenya v Netherlands
8 October
Kenya won by 2 wickets
Netherlands 224-9 in 50 overs (Wesley Barresi 69, Stephan Myburg 50; Shem Ngoche 4-33)
Kenya 225-8 in 49.3 overs (Dhiren Gondaria 63, Collins Obuya 56; Peter Borren 2-13)
ICC Intercontinental Cup:
1-4 October
Match between PNG and Scotland drawn
PNG 404 all out in 116.3 overs (Norman Vanua 64, Chad Soper 40; Safyan Sharif 4-94)
263-3 in 68 overs (Lega Siaka 83, Tony Ura 75; Calum Macleod 1-73)
Scotland 514 all out in 168.2 overs (Richie Berrington 129, Mark Watt 81 not out; Mahura Dai 3-91)
ICC World Cricket League Championship round 6 fixtures and results
Hong Kong v Nepal, Mong Kok - 13 and 15 October – 0930 local time
Namibia v United Arab Emirates, Windhoek - 21 September – UAE won by 6 wickets
Namibia v United Arab Emirates, Windhoek - 23 September – Namibia won by 4 wickets
Papua New Guinea v Scotland, Port Moresby - 6 and 8 October – Scotland won by 101 runs
Papua New Guinea v Scotland, Port Moresby - 6 and 8 October – PNG won by 5 wickets
Kenya v Netherlands, East London, South Africa - 6 and 8 October – Netherlands won by 6 wickets
Kenya v Netherlands, East London, South Africa - 6 and 8 October – Kenya won by 2 wickets
ICC Intercontinental Cup round 6 fixtures and results
Hong Kong v Afghanistan, Mong Kok - 20-23 October, 2017 - 1000 local time
Ireland v Netherlands, Dublin – Match drawn - Ireland 477-6d and 240-7d; Netherlands 375 and 186-4
Namibia v United Arab Emirates, Windhoek – UAE won by 34 runs – UAE 269 and 157; Namibia 212 and 180
Papua New Guinea v Scotland, Port Moresby – Match drawn - PNG 404 and 263-3; Scotland 514
Current standings