Scotland and Netherlands record first wins in ICC Women's Qualifier Europe

• Scotland win their opening game against Germany by 8 wickets in a convincing win
• Netherlands narrowly beat favourites Scotland by 8 runs in close affair
• Germany make their T20I debut in their first outing in an ICC event

Scotland got off to a winning start in a convincing display against T20I debutants Germany. Choosing to field first, the Scots built pressure early on with tight bowling and fielding in the inner circle. The Germans were made to work hard for every run, as they struggled to get to double figures in the powerplay. The introduction of spin led to the fall of the first wicket as Abtaha Maqsood (2/3 off 4) bowled one dot ball after another, creating pressure which led to run out opportunities. Priyanaz Chatterji (3/5 off 4) accounted for the middle order with an economical Player of the Match bowling spell. Germany were keen to bat through their 20 overs and finished with a score of 37 for 8.

Knowing that net run rate may play a part in this event, Scotland looked to chase the score within the powerplay, with opener Sarah Bryce (19* off 16 balls) finding the boundary in the first over. The young German bowler Emma Bargna (2/21 off 3) became the first player for the German women to take a wicket in a T20I when she accounted for Lorna Jack on the fifth ball of the innings and more joy followed as Scotland Captain Kathryn Bryce was caught shortly after. The Scots continued undeterred as they headed for victory in the 6th over, chasing the required runs with 8 wickets in hand.

The afternoon game between rivals Scotland and Netherlands promised to be a closely fought encounter. Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce once again won the toss and sent the Netherlands in to bat. Sterre Kalis (24 off 31 balls) and Heather Siegers (25 off 21 balls) got off to a strong start, putting on an opening partnership of 47 before Chatterji (1/25 off 4) made the breakthrough. Denise van Deventer (35 off 33 balls) anchored the innings for the Dutch, building consecutive partnerships with the Dutch middle order. Spin proved successful again for Scotland as Rachel Scholes (2/26 off 4) prevented the Netherlands from building a bigger score. Samantha Haggo (2/15 off 3) and Katie McGill (2/9 off 2) bowled tight lines for Scotland and a flurry of late wickets restricted the Dutch score to 123 for 8 off their 20 overs.

Scotland got off to a flying start, capitalising on some loose balls in the early overs to get the score to 32 inside 4 overs when the first wicket fell. The change to the leg spin of Caroline de Lange (1/18 off 4) proved a turning point in the innings, as a string of dot balls built pressure on the Scotland batters. Heather Siegers (2/10 off 4) bowled a vital spell to get the Dutch back into control as the game looked like it was heading for a close finish. Becky Glen (23 off 21 balls) batted positively with the middle order as boundaries were hard to come by. A series of run outs saw the Scotland innings stall as Priyanaz Chatterji (26 off 26 balls) tried her hardest to get her team over the line. Scotland required 13 runs to win off the last over, but bowler Heather Siegers held her nerve, conceding just five runs and effecting two more wickets. Scotland eventually fell short of the total by 8 runs.

In tomorrow’s matches, Netherlands play Germany in the morning game, before the return fixture between Netherlands and Scotland in the afternoon. Germany will be keen to put in a competitive performance, whilst the Scottish team will be looking to exact revenge on their Dutch rivals.

Summary of Scores

Scotland 38/2 (6 overs) defeatGermany 37/8 (20 overs) by 8 wickets

Netherlands 123/8 (20 overs) defeat Scotland 116/8 (20 overs) by 7 runs

Final Standings