ICC T20WC Qualifier: Scotland, Thailand and Ireland begin with wins
- Bangladesh v Papua New Guinea abandoned at Forthill and rescheduled for Monday, 2nd September
- Namibia v Ireland at Arbroath the only game to complete 20-overs-a-side
- Thailand defeat Netherlands in nine-over clash, Scotland win against USA in seven-over game
Thailand v Netherlands at Arbroath Cricket Club
Toss: Thailand won the toss and elected to bat
In the first rain-affected encounter of the day, Thailand beat Namibia by 30 runs at Arbroath in a nine-overs-a-side clash on the opening day of the tournament.
Thailand’s Nattakan Chantam (44*) and Naruemol Chaiwai (26*) struck eight boundaries between them – seven fours and one six – as they raced away to an imposing 76/0 at the end of their innings, helped by six extras gifted from the Netherlands.
In response, Netherlands could only muster 46/5 as Thailand’s Chanida Sutthiruang bagged 3/5 in two overs as Thailand ran through Netherlands’ batting order – only one batter, Babette de Leede (20*) hitting double figures with the rest dismissed for single-digit scores.
Sornnarin Tippoch, Thailand captain, said: “I am really happy with the team’s performance – especially Chanida Sutthiruang. She will be instrumental in these conditions.”
Namibia v Ireland at Arbroath Cricket Club
Toss: Ireland won the toss and elected to field
Ireland completed an all-round performance with the bat and ball as they chased down 84 with seven wickets and 33 balls remaining at Arbroath Cricket Club.
Winning the toss and electing to field, Ireland got the best of the moist and windy conditions to take nine wickets as skipper Laura Delany rotated eight bowlers. Eimear Richardson the pick of the bowlers, finishing with an economical 2/10.
Starting well to reach the fifth over unscathed, Namibia’s set batters will rue missed chances to contribute with the bat as both – opener Adri van der Merwe (14) and No.3 batter Petro Enright (20) – were run out after looking comfortable at the crease.
Eight batters for Namibia could only post single figure scores to ensure Ireland were never chasing a total too big.
In reply, Ireland made light work of their chase, losing only three wickets in pursuit of 84. Lewis (26), Garth (22*) and Waldron (33*) picked off the runs needed to hand Ireland a comfortable victory with 33 balls remaining.
Laura Delany, Ireland captain, said: “It was tough for the seamers running into the breeze, but they did a really good job. It was pretty tricky, but we’re used to those conditions back home in Dublin.”
Scotland v USA at Forthill Sports Club
Toss: Scotland won the toss and elected to bat
On a day that saw torrential rain and the earlier abandonment of Bangladesh v Papau New Guinea at the same ground, Scotland managed to sneak in a seven-over game against USA thanks to outstanding work from the ground staff.
Batting first, Scotland smashed 60/3 with skipper Kathryn Bryce hitting four boundaries on her way to 29* – complimenting her 2/5 with the ball – as Scotland pierced the field throughout their innings to build a commanding total and leave USA needing to strike at more than 8.5 an over.
USA, requiring 61 to win, could not hit a single boundary throughout their innings as the tournament hosts' attack built plenty of pressure with wickets in the first two overs – Shebani Bhaskar and Erica Rendler falling for 0 and 3 respectively at the top of the order.
Despite five missed chances in the field, regular wickets kept runs at bay and the run-rate creeping higher as USA reached 30/5 at the close to hand Scotland a 30-run victory in Dundee.
Kathryn Bryce, Scotland captain, said: “It’s a really good start. You don’t play many seven over games so it’s difficult to know what a par score is, and we didn’t know how the pitch was going to play with the weather. All the bowlers did really well and made it difficult for their batters to score runs.”
Scores in brief:
Thailand beat Netherlands by 30 runs at Arbroath Cricket Club
Thailand 76/0, 9 overs (N Chantam 44, N Chaiwai 26; IJR Zwilling 0/8)
Netherlands 46/5, 9 overs (de Leede 20*; C Sutthiruang 3/5)
Ireland beat Namibia by 7 wickets at Arbroath Cricket Club
Namibia 83/9, 20 overs (MP Enright 20, van der Merwe 14; EAJ Richardson 2/10)
Ireland 86/3, 14.3 overs (MV Waldron 33, GH Lewis 26; M Mwatile 1/12)
Scotland beat USA by 30 runs at Forthill Sports Club
Scotland 60/3, 7 overs (K Bryce 29, S Bryce 12; C Beckford 3/26)
USA 30/5, 7 overs (S Sriharsha 10; Kathryn Bryce 2/6)
Fixtures for Sunday 1st September:
Arbroath Cricket Club
10:00 – Scotland vs. PNG
14:00 – USA vs. Bangladesh
Forthill Sports Club
10:00 – Thailand vs. Namibia
14:00 – Ireland vs. Netherlands