SCOTLAND END WARM-UP PERIOD WITH DEFEAT TO SRI LANKA
Scotland’s World Cup preparations came to a close as they fell to a five-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in Dubai.
A heavy downpour at the Sevens Stadium delayed the start by 30 minutes, and when the game did eventually get underway, the conditions were to Sri Lanka’s benefit as they bowled Scotland out for 58.
In reply, Sri Lanka reached their target in 16 overs, as a an excellent, disciplined bowling performance from Craig Wallace’s side made the small run chase a challenge for the full member side.
Batting first, it was a disastrous start for Scotland, losing Saskia Horley, Kathryn Bryce and Priyanaz Chatterji inside the first over; Udeshika Prabadoni striking either side of affecting the run out of Bryce.
Things got worse for Scotland when Ailsa Lister fell for two, spooning a simple chance to Harshitha Madhavi at backward point off the bowling of Inoshi Fernando.
Sarah Bryce and Darcey Carter were tasked with rebuilding the Scotland innings, and it was the former who struck the first boundary in the ninth over the innings, pulling Achini Kulasooriya through mid-wicket.
The pair took their side to 27 before Carter (4) fell, caught superbly running back at mid on by Kaveesha Dilhari, from Inoka Ranaweera.
Lorna Jack (2) was the next to depart, pushing the ball to Chamari Athapaththu at mid-on, who threw down the stumps as Jack attempted a sharp single.
Sarah Bryce and Katherine Fraser would add 12 for the seventh wicket, before Fraser’s downfall came about as she looked to hit Ama Kanchana over the top, instead only edging behind to Anushka Sanjeewani who held on low down.
Rachel Slater struck her second ball for the innings’ second boundary, thumping Kanchana straight back down the ground for four.
However, Scotland would then lose Sarah Bryce, who had been holding the innings together for 16 overs, caught by Hasini Perara off Sachini Nisansala for 24, to leave Scotland 45-8.
Chloe Abel and Slater added 11 for the ninth wicket, but a third run-out of the innings saw Abel dismissed for six.
Abtaha Maqsood (1) would be the final Scotland batter to fall, with the total on 58, caught by Dilhari at long-on off Nisansala, as Slater was left unbeaten on 10.
And Slater was straight into the action in Scotland’s defence of that total, trapping the dangerous Athapaththu LBW for just one inside the opening over.
Sri Lanka were 3-2 when Kathryn Bryce struck with her fourth ball, bowling Vishmi Gunarathne (2).
Dilhari and Madhavi would add 29 for the third wicket to break the back of the run chase, but Scotland struck back through Olivia Bell, who bowled Madhavi for nine.
After reaching 27 from 34 balls and taking her side to within eight of their target with seven overs remaining, Dilhari was retired out.
However, the other set batter, Perera, fell just two balls later, bowled by Katherine Fraser as she looked to advance down the track.
It would be left to Sanjeewani (4*) to hit the winning runs, alongside Kanchana (4*), as Sri Lanka reached their target of 59 three balls into the 16th over.
Scotland’s next action see them open the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Thursday 3 October, against Bangladesh at Sharjah.