Scots in wild West climax
World Cup hopes rest on Indies clash
SCOTLAND’S World Cup hopes hinge on a do-or-die tussle with the West Indies after slumping to a 25-run defeat against Ireland.
Kyle Coetzer’s men went into the Super Sixes clash in Harare knowing victory could prove enough to clinch a place at next year’s showpiece in England.
But Andy Balbirnie’s 105 from 146 balls inspired an Ireland side to a total of 271-9 while inflicting Scotland’s first defeat in qualifying in Zimbabwe.
Should the West Indies win today’s match against the hosts then Scotland will be one of five teams left battling for two spots going at the World Cup.
A win over the two-time world champs on Wednesday will send the Scots through and skipper Coetzer said: “We believe we can win and we have to. We have to make sure we play a good game and put the Windies under pressure.”
Chasing 272 for victory over the Irish, Scotland’s hopes seemed to rest with Coetzer who managed a halfcentury off his 49th delivery.
He would’ve had three figures in mind when reaching 61 with seven boundaries and a six. But Boyd Rankin eventually got his man, shattering his stumps with the final ball of his third over.
Coetzer said: “We’re learning a lot and we’re a very dangerous team – we know we are. This is our first loss and maybe it’s what we needed to get us into gear for the next game.”
Craig Wallace, Michael Leask and George Munsey followed him cheaply to leave the Scots looking out of it on 132-6.
A half- century stand between Richie Berrington (44) and Safyaan Sharif (34) halted the Irish but when they departed in quick succession Scotland had too much to do.
Mark Watt (31no) knocked two huge sixes in a last-wicket partnership of 38 with Brad Wheal but Rankin (4-61) had the latter caught behind.
Coetzer said: “They maybe got a few more runs than we’d hoped but it was a good wicket and we felt we were in the game at half-time. A couple of crucial moments went against us and there were a couple of things we perhaps didn’t get right.
“We have to get things right going into the next game.”