BERRINGTON BRILLIANCE HELPS SCOTS TOP ICC CWCL2 TABLE

Scotland climbed to the top of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 table after a nerve-shredding win over USA by two runs in Kirtipur.

In another rain-affected contest, the Scots hit form with the bat, amassing 321-6 in 47 overs, a record ODI score at the Tribhuvan University International Ground. Finlay McCreath (77) and Brandon McMullen (55) formed the backbone of the innings, which saw contributions across the order, highlighted by spectacular hitting from Matthew Cross (58 from 32 balls), Mark Watt (25 from 13 balls) and Michael Leask (28 from 12 balls).

The total looked a formidable one, especially when USA were reduced to 160-5 after 26 overs, before rain intervened. Duckworth-Lewis calculations left a target of 89 from 5.2 overs, effectively turning the match into a T10 contest.

Saiteja Mukkamalla (104) embarked on a powerful hitting spree, smashing eight sixes and threatening to steal the points for USA, but he was dismissed in the final over by an extraordinary catch from Richie Berrington off the bowling of McMullen. The Scotland captain ran thirty yards as the ball spiralled over his head before making a full length dive to snare Mukkamalla, and that moment of brilliance ultimately decided the match.

Brad Currie (2-52), Safyaan Sharif (2-48) and Player of the Match McMullen (2-40) led the attack with Oli Davidson and Mark Watt also picking up wickets, as the Scots put in a fine all-round effort under pressure and replaced their opponents at the top of the table, whilst making it two wins from two on tour.

Berrington was characteristically modest about his crucial intervention, saying, "It was obviously an important moment in the game, so to be honest I'm just lucky it just stuck in my hands!

"It was a fantastic knock from Mukkamalla, he came out after the rain delay and put us under a lot of pressure, and once again we've gone right down to the wire. It was a little tougher than we would have liked, but it was important we held our nerve and managed to close the game out.

"It's important that in these close games we are finding a way to get over the line, and we've managed to pick up another two points. The really pleasing thing for me today was we saw the batting improve from the first game on Tuesday against Nepal. That's good signs and hopefully we can take that into the final two matches of the series."

"Batting first, we knew we had to put a good score on the board, given how good USA are. I'm pleased with the improvements we've made so it's been a great day all round."

Scotland's next match in the series is against Nepal on Monday 18 May, with a 0445 start time. The match is live on ICC TV.