KATHRYN BRYCE PRAISES WHOLE SQUAD EFFORT IN QUALIFIER SUCCESS

Kathryn Bryce was proud of the way her Scotland team stood up under pressure throughout the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier, to book their place in England this summer.

 

Sunday's 41-run win over the USA ensured Scotland would be appearing at back-to-back Women's T20 World Cups - following a historic first-ever appearance in 2024.

 

Kathryn Bryce said: “I’m really proud of everyone, because this tournament was a bit different, coming in with the expectation that we were going to qualify - which we've never had before.

 

"That brings with it different feelings and different pressures – all the teams in the qualifier are improving, so there’s no givens in any game. To come out and play the quality of cricket that we did, especially in the Ireland game, was really pleasing."

 

 

The story of the qualifier for Scotland was one of a number of players sticking their hands up and putting in important, and match-winning, performances across the whole competition.

 

"I think the best thing has been the number of people who have stood up. There’s not one person who’s taken all the wickets or scored all the runs, it’s been different people in different games in a lot of different situations.

 

“Priyanaz’s innings against Nepal was absolutely outstanding in a high-pressure situation, the way that Sarah (Bryce) played against Thailand, the way that Abtaha (Maqsood) bowled against Ireland, and then Darcey (Carter) today - were all incredibly big for us - and there’s countless other little moments that were key as well.

 

"In a game like this (against the USA) you just want something to go your way, or to settle the environment at the start - and the way Darcey and (Katherine) Fraser played those first couple of overs, it takes off that little bit of pressure, and everyone was able to relax a little bit and just focus on the game."

 

Scotland now have their second taste of a World Cup to look forward to - one that is a little bit more special, as it is taking place just down the road in England.

 

 

“Having been to one before will really stand us in good stead this summer. There’s a lot of emotions and different feelings that come with playing in a first World Cup that can make it tricky.

 

"Having been in that situation before, we’ll be in a good place to enjoy that tournament but also play good cricket. It’s probably going to be the closest thing we get to a home World Cup, so we’ll just embrace all of that.”