The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Milestone victory for Scots over Zimbabwe
CRICKET: Skipper Kyle Coetzer paves the way with magnificent century
Scotland were celebrating last night after their first ever home-turf ODI win over a top-tier cricket nation.
Skipper Kyle Coetzer’s century paved the way for the 27-run success against Zimbabwe at Raeburn Place.
Coetzer and Co will bid to complete a double when the sides clash again in the capital tomorrow.
The captain’s heroics, backed up by half-tons from Craig Wallace and Michael Leask, propelled the Scots to 317 for six in their 50 overs.
They then excelled in the field with a five-wicket haul for Con de Lange and two remarkable run-outs to make sure the visitors were never in the hunt.
Zimbabwe were all out for 272 as they chased a rain-reduced target of 299 off 43.
Michael Leask set the tone by getting rid of Hamilton Masakadza with a throw from midwicket to keeper Matthew Cross.
Cross was back in the spotlight to take the catch when Craig Ervine top-edged Chris Sole straight up in the air.
And Scotland seized total control as Safyaan Sharif pouched Solomon Mire in the deep to make it 97 for three.
Even better was to come immediately when Sikander Raja was stranded by a rocket return from Richie Berrington.
After the rain interruption, de Lange clean-bowled Ryan Burl behind his legs to make it 125 for five.
Berrington ruled out a Zimbabwe rally by dismissing Sean Williams for 70.
And de Lange quickly struck again to dispose of Peter Moor before removing skipper Graeme Cremer lbw.
His fourth scalp left Zimbabwe needing 106 from 10 overs.
They refused to buckle, and 92 from Malcolm Waller set up a tension-packed finale. His spree left them requiring 38 from 18 balls, but Scotland held their nerve when it mattered most – de Lange prompting Waller to lob a catch to Sole just inside the rope.
And Sole made sure by holding a steepler off Sharif.
Earlier, Coetzer and Matthew Cross emerged from a cautious start to unleash a torrent of boundaries in a sparkling partnership of 56.
Inevitably the scoring rate dipped, with Calum MacLeod getting his eye in.
MacLeod was determined to make amends for his duck against Namibia two days earlier. However, with the total on 93 in the 15th over, he was trapped in front by Sikander Raza for 13.
Richie Berrington was the next to curse his luck when on 15 he was dismissed by a brilliant catch at midwicket by Graeme Cremer.
With Coetzer dominant at the other end, Preston Mommsen was clean bowled for 10 trying to sweep Cremer.
Coetzer and Craig Wallace then combined in a brisk stand before the former was removed. His 109 came from 101 balls and featured two sixes and 13 fours.
The recalled Michael Leask added 85 with Wallace, both bringing up fine half centuries.
Leask faced only 38 deliveries for his exciting 59 not out.