Burger relishing T20 World Cup as Scots see off Namibia

SCOTLAND head coach Shane Burger urged his players to make the most of their momentum after they recorded another victory in their final T20 World Cup warm-up.

George Munsey (67) and Matthew Cross (57) weighed in with half-centuries as the Scots scored a 19-run victory over Namibia in Dubai.

Burger’s side finished on 203 for seven and both Mark Watt and Brad Wheal claimed two wickets apiece to restrict Namibia to 184 for five from their 20 overs.

The win followed Tuesday’s victory over Holland and avenged a T20 defeat by Namibia last weekend, which proved a blip after Scotland managed three wins from three completed one-day internationals in Oman in the Cricket World Cup League 2 last month.

Burger told the Cricket Scotland website: “It was a good all-round performance, we were challenged with bat, ball and in the field and going into the World Cup having had such a tough game on a good wicket was exactly what we needed.

“I am incredibly proud of the way the guys did, momentum is now on our side and it is up to us what we do with that now.

“George batted well and then Crossy gave us a real injection of momentum – especially in the over when he hit two sixes and then the way we finished was impressive.

“Calum MacLeod showed he can clear the rope and he and Leasky [Michael Leask] showed great clarity in the way they wanted to end the innings.

“From a bowling point of view, we were tested at times, but I thought the guys held their nerve well against some good batters.

“Safyaan Sharif bowled well and showed why he is one of the best death bowlers around in this format while Brad did a good job too.

“Overall, we are happy as a group with where we are at the moment and we cannot wait to get the World Cup proper under way on Sunday.”

Scotland now return to Oman for their World Cup Group B opener against Bangladesh.