MCCREATH TON HELPS SCOTS BEAT CANADA
Scotland hung on to beat Canada by nine runs and secure a place at next year's World Cup Qualifier after a nerve shredding ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 encounter at Forfarshire.
After struggling in difficult early batting conditions, Fin McCreath held Scotland's innings together with a composed 112, his first international century, supported by contributions through the middle order, in a total of 281-7.
That looked below par as Canada raced past 50 inside eight overs, led by Yuvraj Sumra (78) but Brandon McMullen (3-43) held the Canadians in check with some fine swing bowling, supported by Olly Davidson (2-48).
Canada fell to 181-7, but Ansh Patel (41) and captain Saad Bin Zafar () compiled a brilliant partnership of 84 to steer them close to the target. However the penultimate over from Zainullah Ihsan (1-46) proved crucial, as Patel was run out and Ihsan bowled. With four balls left, George Munsey took a wonderful catch to dismiss the final Canadian batter, and secure the win.
Scotland are now assured a place at next year's ICC World Cup Qualifier with the win, as Canada cannot catch them in the CWCL2 standings.
This match, the first in the series to beat the weather, was the 5000th men's ODI, and it was Canada who started quickly, having won the toss in overcast conditions. Their decision to field was immediately rewarded in the second ball of the innings as Munsey played on to Kaleem Sana.
The ball was moving about sharply from both ends and with a strong breeze, batting conditions were extremely challenging. McMullen's attempts to accelerate were foiled as he was bowled for 17, leaving Scotland 24-2 after seven overs.
It was a morning for hard graft, and McCreath was the man who knuckled down. On a day when former Scotland batters Neil McCallum and Fraser were publicly inducted into Cricket Scotland's Hall of Fame, McCreath played an innings that both would have been proud of during their international careers, showing patience and poise, but also authority to dispatch any bad deliveries.
Starting slowly - he made one run in the first eight overs - the Grange batter accelerated after the powerplay, striking a massive six over deep midwicket to reach his half century. At the other end, Scotland lost wickets at crucial times, as Richie Berrington (29) and Michael Jones (36) both fell when well set.
McCreath reached his century from 135 balls in the 47th over, as Scotland kicked on towards the end of the innings to post a competitive total, with Matthew Cross (23) upping the rate and Safyaan Sharif (22 from eight balls) launching two enormous sixes out of the ground.
Canada's reply started fast, with Sumra looking particularly dominant, and it quickly became clear Scotland needed regular wickets to peg back their opponents. Jasper Davidson bagged Matthew Spoors, but it was McMullen who looked most dangerous, removing Pargat Singh, the dangerous Sumra and Harsh Thaker to leave the game evenly poised with Canada 134-4 after 26 overs.
A Canadian mix-up saw Nicholas Kirton run out for 18, before Olly Davidson struck twice in quick succession, to put Scotland in charge as Canada slipped to 181-7. However as the closing stages approached, the visitors still held some hope with McMullen bowled out and the rest of the Scotland pace attack lacking a cutting edge.
Canada took 23 runs from two Sharif overs to crank up the pressure, leaving eighteen required from twelve balls, but Patel was then run out for 41, as tension rose around Forthill. Ihsan had been expensive, but he yorked Sana to leave the Scots needing one wicket and Canada fourteen runs from the final over.
Sharif bowled the last over, and Munsey took a spectacular catch to remove Shrizad, and see the Scots over the line and into next year's Qualifier.