SCOTLAND STUN WEST INDIES TO OPEN QUALIFIER IN STYLE

Scotland Women opened their World Cup Qualifier campaign in style with a stunning 11 run victory over the West Indies.

 

Sent into bat, Scotland posted 244, led by an 82-run fifth wicket partnership between Sarah Bryce (55) and Megan McColl (45).

 

In response, the West Indies looked to be on course for a comfortable chase, Hayley Matthews and Zaida James taking their side to 120-1 inside 27 overs.

 

But Matthews saw partners come and go as wickets began to fall regularly. Her heroic, unbeaten 114 – in which she had retired hurt twice – was in vain, as Abataha Maqsood took the final wicket with the West Indies 11 runs short of Scotland’s total.

 

Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce said: "It was a fantastic way to start off the tournament, with everyone contributing.

 

"We know it wasn't our perfect game, so we've got a lot to build on and learn from, but to get over the line against such a strong West Indies team is fantastic for our confidence going forward."

 

Scotland made a positive start behind opening pair Abbi Aitken-Drummond (21) and Darcey Carter (25), adding 48 before the former was the first victim of Matthews.

 

Mathews continued to cause Scotland problems, remove Kathryn Bryce for just six, caught at the wicket by Shermaine Campbelle as she attempted to paddle sweep.

 

The West Indies skipper struck again to remove Carter, and a direct hit from Chinelle Henry did for Ailsa Lister, who departed for a brisk 19 with Scotland 100-4.

 

That brought Sarah Bryce and McColl together, the pair batting beautifully and finding the boundary with regularity as both struck at a run-a-ball, their 82 run partnership coming in just 74 deliveries.

 

 

It was Matthews again who made the crucial breakthrough, having Sarah Bryce caught smartly at slip by Karishma Ramharack shortly after reaching her half-century.

 

A second piece of superb fielding from Henry brought about McColl’s downfall, run out, with Katherine Fraser (25*) and Priyanaz Chatterji (15) making important lower-order contributions as Scotland were bowled out for 244.

 

Scotland’s defence of that target got off to a superb start, Carter removing Qiana Joseph in the second over with a smart return catch.

 

Matthews and James added 113 for the second wicket, taking their side almost halfway to the target, when Chloe Abel made the breakthrough to remove James (45).

 

 

The West Indies middle order struggled to establish a substantial partnership with Matthews, as Kathryn Bryce, Maqsood and Abel were all in the wickets, to reduce the chasing side to 192-6.

 

Then came the drama, with Matthews forced to retire hurt on 95 with what appeared to be severe cramps – and Scotland capitalised, as Katherine Fraser struck twice in quick succession.

 

Matthews returned at 199-8, striking Fraser for four to move to 99, before immediately collapsing again, and retiring hurt once again.

 

Ramharack lasted just one ball as Fraser picked up her third wicket, bringing Matthews back to the crease for a third time, just one ball after retiring hurt.

 

 

The West Indies skipper reached her century, and alongside Aaliyah Alleyne, batted bravely as they added 30 to take their side within 12 of victory.

 

But with the tension rising, Maqsood struck, trapping Alleyne in front to seal a memorable win for Scotland. 

 

Scotland are back in action on Friday 11 April against Pakistan at 0530 UK time, which you can watch live on icc.tv.